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Concerns about Senior Staging and Downsizing.....HELP!

By Jaynee Acevedo

Home Stager with Capital Style Home Staging

July 24, 2007 08:24 AM

As a designer for 26 years, and a stager for one, I've found myself drawn into the "Senior Market". I've helped move my grandmother(2 broken hips), mother (alzheimers), sister's mother in law (pic's), and now clients. I have had our elderly inlaws live with us for extended periods, and love them dearly. As a loving person dedicated to the service of others, I know this takes the artificial/surface profession of "Staging" to a meaningful level. Having a creative outlet that provides a needed service is the best of all worlds for me, yet I'm concerned about two things:

1. Moving the Senior (into eldercare or residential living) that is deeply connected to their home, who would rather not move or downsize, but are "required to" by grown children. Complicating this are rooms stuffed full of things they no longer need, but aren't yet ready to jettison.

2. Being sympathetic and patient with the trauma of the distruption without becoming too involved or overly emotional, right along with them.

It used to be so much easier <sigh>

Thoughts, Oh Wise Ones?

Cheers!

Jaynee

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Cheri Dueker

Transitional Designs, LLC - Saint Louis, MO

Transitional Designs, LLC, Home Staging St. Louis

Hi Jaynee: This is a difficult target group that will require plenty of emotional devotion by you. We moved my mom last year from the family home into a neighboring "cottage". We allowed her to take anything she wanted so many of the things she loves but no longer needs are now packed and take up the entire top floor of the new house. While it was frustrating to move all this stuff when the family knew she would never unpack it again was fustrating for the family, it was comforting for her. Additionally, setting up her new home with the furniture she selected (coming from a HUGE victorian) was a challenge for two stagers (us) and although it isn't perfect, she is surrounded by her favorite things.

Some tips: Allow them to identify the 5 most important things that MUST go into the new space

Offer to arrange to place the other "important" items in storage while they adjust to the new space. We ended up renting a huge storage unit. SHe has now decided she needs to get rid of the stuff and never retrieved a single item that was stored!

Validate their feelings but remember that their responses are about moving into a new phase of their lives-Some days will be hard for them (and for you) but if you rememer you are there to support THEM-you will be fine.

Change is hard on everyone but especially seniors-it may take a year before they appreciate everything you have done for them.....

Good luck! This is such an important service!

Jul 25, 2007 02:12 AM

Jaynee Acevedo

Capital Style Home Staging - Kensington, MD

Capital Style Home Staging

Love you ideas, Cheri....thanks so much. It all helps!

Jul 25, 2007 02:40 AM

Joan Snodgrass

Midamerica Referral Network - Kimberling City, MO

JAYNEE:

Sounds like you are an old hand at this difficult family time. I wish I had had someone to counsel me when I had to go through this with my mother. I don't think it is ever easy on any member of the family, although Cheri has some wonderful suggestions how how she did it. Looks like you have a whole new facet to your staging career.

Jul 28, 2007 09:40 AM

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Jaynee Acevedo

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