Mindful Transitions

By Mindful Transitions owner Joanne Devereaux

Last January, I received dozens of calls from folks near panic needing to move a relative. Was it the New Year, the weather, or simply desperation that brought this rush? As we approach the holidays, I wonder how to avoid this situation in our own families? I outlined a simple plan, which I call the 3 Ts. TALK TEAM TIME

TALK
Holidays bring families together. The opportunity for easy conversations can happen face to face with parents, adult children, and siblings. If you think your parent(s) or a relative may be want to leave a family homestead, ask them. It might surprise you how receptive family can be to discussing what does not have to be the elephant in the room. Keep the conversation positive and plan on listening. A simple question, “have you ever thought about moving one day”... can open a door to a much larger conversation. Families can set in motion a constructive plan if you find a parent does in fact want to move. From what I see, too many people wait too long.
I remember listening to two sisters in disbelief, telling me how they planned to move their very elderly mom out of her beautiful San Francisco apartment to Oregon in a U-Haul on a weekend! When I asked them, did she want to go, neither had an answer.
TEAM
Assemble a team. Who in your circle of family and friends is willing to help and how? Asking for help can be hard, especially if you are a senior. Who’s on your team?
I was very impressed with a man I’ll call Jake. He lost his wife and decided, after living alone for over a year, he wanted to move closer to his son. He lived in a big house, with a gigantic vegetable garden, on top of a hill, with fantastic views and he felt lonely there. He said, “I feel good around my son and his family.” We talked a while, and I believe it helped him decide to move. I never actually worked with Jake because, guess what, he had a very good team.
TIME
Time flies. Individuals and families can take charge. The New Year might be a good time to move or not. There are growing options for better living situations. Why wait? When families talk before a crisis they can make a plan for the future, because we all know, time flies.

MINDFUL TRANSITIONS

managing and assisting home moves with care 510-757-7340