62 / 72
Senior Assistants
Carol Cozewith & Ellyn Mantell
908-883-0469 •
ellynmantell@aol.comThe daughters any senior needs
when it is time to move.
Move to Senior Living
with Ease & Style
We make the move seamless -
clients never pack or
unpack a box!
Your precious possessions arranged in
your new space for style and comfort -
you’ll “feel at home” right away!
^ƵƌĞ LJŽƵ͛ƌĞ ƚŽƵŐŚ͊ Ƶƚ ĞǀĞƌLJŽŶĞ ŶĞĞĚƐ Ă ŚĂŶĚ ŶŽǁ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞŶ͘ • Safety Supervision • Dementia Care M l P i • Bathing Assistance • Med Reminders T i 908-927-0500 Somerset Co & Middlesex Co Licensed, Bonded & Insured ǁǁǁ͘ĐŽŵĨŽƌĐĂƌĞ͘ĐŽŵͬŶĞǁͲũĞƌƐĞLJͬƐŽŵĞƌƐĞƚͲĐŽƵŶƚLJ • ea reparat on • Homemaking • ransportat on • Certified HHAs • Live-in & Hourly As I write this, we are recovering from a snow event that had the area blanketed with frigid temperatures and double digit inches of white. Glistening as it may be, it is the bane of all of us caring for people in need. My mind goes back to the days when our Mom was in her home in which she raised my sister-in-law and hus- band, just two years ago. Weather like this would bring so much worry...loss of electricity? Enough food? Dangerous driving conditions? Moving Mom from her home of 57 years was so difficult for all of us. Mom was angry about leaving what she knew, as well as her feelings about aging out of her comfort zone. Every room and closet was filled to capacity with items no longer rele- vant to her lifestyle, and she believed, as so many do, that her collections of china, silver, serving pieces, etc. were worth so much more than they turned out to be. Fortunately, the three of us, Mom’s “children,” were proactive and knew the time had come to help her transition to the assisted side of Chelsea at Warren. In truth, without the tools my business partner, Carol, and I had, I am not certain we would have so comfortably helped her make the transition we did when it came to downsizing her house, and preparing for her new home at Chelsea. Clean- ing out is so much easier with anoth- er person! Not only do you have the opportunity to make better deci- sions, but packing up as you go along is a double time saver. We have learned that as little as we think we need, we need even less. And that, depending upon the new place, so much is provided. No longer in need of kitchen items, Mom, who was an amazing cook, baker and entertainer, needed nothing more than a mug or two, since all meals are provided. Even in facilities where only one or two meals are provided, few need more than service for 2-4 people. Many find themselves eating outside their room with friends they have made! What we have learned is very important, however, is having an attractive home. More than ever, people socialize and showing their new home is a big part of that event. Frequently, Carol and I in the halls of a senior living community and a resi- dent will offer to show us their new home...they are happy and proud! That pride goes a long way to enabling the new resident to have the self-esteem necessary when meeting new people. It is easy to forget that “first impressions” are important at any age. If we can help your parent or your- self transition to a senior facility, or if you want to discuss downsizing and adjustment issues around that process, please contact me at 908- 883-0469 or ellynmantell@aol.com. Carol and I (SENIOR ASSISTANTS) will gladly be there for you! WHY SENIOR LIVING WORKS! By: Ellyn MantellPAGE 62
Spotlight on
“SeniorS”
www.theconnectionsnj.com