Archives for May 2008
Many retirement communities now offer transition management services
My grandmother is in her upper 90s and has been living in a retirement community for the past 12 years. The majority of her possessions from her previous home are in my father’s spare bedroom and garage. The boxes and furniture take up so much space that for more than a decade guests have been sleeping on the couch in my dad’s basement and he has been parking his car in his driveway.
I have asked repeatedly why he’s holding on to all of her things since she no longer needs her blender, coffee cups, or toilet scrub brush. I’ve never received an answer, and I’m not certain that he could give me one if I pressed him on it.
The process of moving a loved one into a retirement community or nursing home is an emotional undertaking for all involved. It wasn’t easy for my grandmother, an independent, spitfire of a woman, to give up her home of more than 50 years and move into a retirement community. And, it has been difficult on my dad and his siblings to accept the fact that she needed to move.
Many families are faced with similar situations as aging parents move into retirement communities and nursing homes. The transition is tough for all involved in the process.
Over the past decade, retirement communities and nursing homes across the U.S. have taken notice of the difficulties families face transitioning loved ones into their facilities and are doing what they can to make the process smoother. Many retirement communities now offer transition management services to their residents.
I spoke with a local nursing home administrator about what these services entail. In his facility, there are two, full-time transition managers who work with every new resident. They go into the residents’ family homes and help them clear clutter, sell/donate/give to family items that won’t move with them to their new home, and help the residents choose what they want to bring with them. The process takes weeks and is an emotional but usually positive experience.
If you’re faced with a situation of helping someone move into a retirement community or nursing home, be sure to inquire if the facility offers transition management services. If they do, talk with residents and children of residents to learn about the quality and value of these programs. If the facility doesn’t offer this service, I highly recommend contacting the National Association of Senior Move Managers. NASMM has a referral system to help you find move managers in your community. You also may want to review this resource list for books relating to this delicate subject.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Unitasker Wednesday: Doggie playpen
Training a dog can be a very rewarding experience. I had the pleasure of training my parents’ black lab when I was in high school. If a dog is brought into one’s home, training it should be a top priority. An unruly dog can wreak havoc on your home and leave a trail of destruction in its wake … and on your chair legs and carpets and shoes and …
So, what can one do to combat an “untrainable” dog? Well, stick it in a playpen, of course! A playpen will surely take care of all of your problems! The Pet Playpen is a perfect way to offset a poorly trained dog when Fido isn’t in his crate. Measuring in at 35″ x 35″ x 24-1/2″ and weighing 25 lbs, it can make any room a whole lot smaller by cornering off a large chunk of it for the out-of-control pup. Putting it next to your pup’s crate will make your room fully impassable.
**Each week, the Unitasker Wednesday column humorously pokes fun at the unnecessary, single-use items that manage to find their way into our homes.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Unclutterer on the Precision Change podcast
Live now is an episode for Precision Change I recorded titled Tired of the Crap? Become an Unclutterer! with the wonderful Duff McDuffee. You can download the 22 minute podcast or listen to it by clicking on the “Play Now” link at the beginning of the article.
In the conversation, I talk about:
- How clutter doesn’t always start out as clutter.
- Why if you are in a constant state of disorganization now, you absolutely can change.
- What exactly to start on to begin uncluttering your life.
- Why getting a storage unit is almost always a bad idea.
- The machine that will finally give you a paperless office.
- A simple way to clear out kitchen clutter.
- Why uncluttering is really just about finding what makes you happy and what really matters to you.
I look forward to reading your thoughts about the podcast! This is the first time I’ve been a part of a podcast and I must admit that it was a lot of fun.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Understanding how you process information to help you get organized, part I
When you read a book or newspaper article, do you instantly commit it to memory? Or, are you someone who likes to pace the floor when you’re thinking? Maybe you are someone who can hear a lecture and have no need to take a single note?
How you process information has a strong correlation to how you may want to organize your home and office. Strategies that work well for an audible processor might fall flat on someone who prefers to intake information visually. Knowing yourself and your preferences can make a difference in how successful you are at creating an organization system. The two posts in our “understanding how you process information to help you get organized” series will hopefully aid you in creating your profile.
The first step is to begin by identifying what type of an information processor you are: visual, auditory, or kinesthetic/tactile. Take the following quiz to help identify where you fall in the information processing spectrum:
Directions: Add one point to your score for each statement that strongly applies to you. The category with the most points is your dominant processing style. You may have strengths in more than one category.
Visual processor –
- I can remember that I need to do something if I write it down.
- I need to visualize myself wearing something to make a decision about what I want to wear.
- I take copious notes during meetings and often can remember what the page of notes looks like before I remember what the notes say.
- I need to look at a person when they’re speaking.
- It has to be quiet for me to be able to complete my work.
- Seeing data displayed in a graph is vital to me understanding numerical information.
- I am horrible at remembering jokes.
- I can remember phone numbers if I can visualize typing them on a phone’s key pad.
Auditory processor –
- I prefer to listen to books on tape or to read books aloud.
- The more I discuss a problem with my co-workers, the easier it is for me to find its solution.
- In school, I only needed to attend class lectures to perform fine on the tests.
- I remember what people have said before I remember who said it.
- I like to complete one task before starting a new one.
- A train could be passing through my living room and I would still be able to hold a good conversation with my Aunt Sally on the phone.
- When I forget how to spell a word, I sound it out.
- At the grocery store, I repeat my list either in my head or aloud.
Kinesthetic/Tactile processor –
- When I take on a project, I want to start doing instead of planning.
- When I need to take a break from working, I have to get up and move around my office.
- I can work effectively in a coffee shop or in an airport waiting area — I don’t need to be at my desk to do work.
- I can remember a client’s name better if I shake her hand.
- I would like to ride my bike to work, if I don’t already.
- I think more clearly throughout the day if I exercise before work.
- I am often aware of the temperature in my office.
- When I pick up something as ordinary as my stapler, my mind drifts to memories somehow associated with a stapler.
Which category best represented your processing style? I am visual processor with a relatively high score also in kinesthetic.
The second post in the series will provide suggestions for how you can take this information you have learned about yourself and apply it to your organization systems. Stay tuned!
Popularity: 2% [?]
Send events from Google Calendar to friends’ and family members’ cell phones
If you are an avid Google Calendar user, then you probably already know that you can send yourself text messages about upcoming events on your schedule. But, did you know that you also can send text messages about events to friends and family members with cell phones (even very, very low-tech cell phones)? Here’s how –
When you create an event, click on “edit event details”:
Once the event page appears, enter the contact information for your friends’ and family members’ cell phones as guests for the event:
The contact information for your friends’ and family members’ cell phones consists of their 10 digit cell phone number followed by the extension for their specific carrier. For example, if the cell number is (555) 555-1234 and they have Verizon as their cell phone carrier, you would list 5555551234@vtext.com as a guest. If their carrier is AT&T Wireless, you would list 5555551234@txt.att.net as your guest.
When you choose “save” for your event, a pop-up screen will ask if you want to send your messages to your guests. Choose “send” so your guests will receive an initial invitation to the event. Please note that they will not receive an event reminder if you have one set unless you log into Google Calendar and choose to “e-mail guests” on the events page the day of the event.
Here are a few extensions to help you figure out your friends’ and family members’ contact information for their cell phones:
#telephone#@vtext.com
Verizon
#telephone#@txt.att.net
AT&T Wireless
#telphone#@messaging.sprintpcs.com
Sprint
Standard message charges apply for all carriers.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Built’s cargo laptop sleeve
Built makes some very handy storage products out of neoprene. I highlighted their alternative to a lunch box back in November. Their new Cargo Laptop Sleeve is made from the same material and also includes some very useful pockets to store computer accessories. From the Built website:
Our Cargo Laptop Sleeve streamlines the transport of your laptop and computer essentials. Composed of extra-thick neoprene, this sleeve stretches to fit your laptop and offers a substantial amount of protection. Three external slip pockets provide snug and convenient storage for various sized gadgets and accessories. The zigzag stitched seams improve water resistance and durability. The Cargo is available in three sizes.
It definitely looks less bulky than any laptop sleeve I’ve seen and with the extra pockets for storage it looks like it can keep all your laptop accessories in one compact device. Another great looking product from Built.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Plant low maintenance perennials to create an uncluttered garden
Spring is a great time to work in your yard before the temperatures get really hot. If you’re looking to create an uncluttered garden this year, here are some perennials that are easy to care for and very low maintenance (via About.com):
- Armeria (Sea Thrift)
- Chelone lyonii (Turtlehead — pictured)
- Echinops ritro (Globe Thistle)
- Hosta
- Iris siberica (Siberian Iris)
- Liatris spicata (Blazing Star)
- Paeonia (Peony)
- Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
- Thalictrum aquilegifolium (Meadow Rue)
- Tiarella cordifolia (Allegheny Foam flower)
Now, if you are an experienced gardener, you may like to plant flowers that require more care. My black thumb, however, is a bit of an impediment to a more time-consuming flower garden.
Do you know of other, low-maintenance perennial flowers? Please let us know about them in the comments.
Popularity: 2% [?]
A year ago on Unclutterer
- Get your dot on
Use little colored dots to keep track of what you actually use.
Popularity: 1% [?]
ADDitude, Unclutterer, and chronic disorganization
Unclutterer was mentioned this month in ADDitude Magazine in an article titled Best Web Resources for Getting Organized. ADDitude Magazine is a publication for people living with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and AADD (Adult ADD). We would like to thank the magazine for thinking of us and mentioning Unclutterer as a resource!
For those of you who aren’t personally familiar with ADHD, chronic disorganization is a common outward expression of the disorder. As a result, publications, research, and websites focused on helping people with ADHD have terrific information for anyone looking for organization strategies. For the most part, the advice is very practical and creative, and leaves me saying “I can use that.” ADDitude Magazine has a wonderful resource page if you’re interested in exploring these publications.
Popularity: 2% [?]
A year ago on Unclutterer
- Clutter-free movie viewing
Subscription and download services offer alternatives to buying DVDs. - The minimalist kitchen
Let’s be honest. What tools do you really need in your kitchen?
Popularity: 2% [?]
Cami Walker’s 29-Day Giving Challenge
Cami Walker, owner of the business consulting firm Creative Urge, has created a 29-Day Giving Challenge that encourages people to give things/time/help away for 29 consecutive days.
Commit to give away one item a day for 29 days in a row and share how the experience impacts your life. Why? Because to see the world change, we have to do something to change the world.
I think it’s a fun idea and may participate by finding one thing in my home to give away every day for a month. I’m certain I have at least 29 things that can find a better home through Goodwill. I probably won’t create a page on the challenge website, however, as the stories are being collected for a book and documentary project that doesn’t much interest me.
If you’re looking for a reason to get rid of clutter, consider using the 29-Day Giving Challenge as motivation.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Creating temporary storage that can be reused over and over again
The master bathroom in my home is a nightmare. It has zero built-in storage. There isn’t a single drawer, shelf, or cupboard in the entire space. Not only that, it doesn’t even have a toilet paper holder or towel rack attached to the wall. I wish I were kidding, but I’m not.
I have no idea what the previous owners were thinking when they gutted the room and redesigned it. It’s as if storage were something they feared.
After we finish our bedroom redesign project, we’re planning to take on the bathroom problem. But, until that point, we had to do something as a temporary solution:
We decided to use InterMETRO Shelving because it can be disassembled and reused in another area of our home when we create built-in storage in the bathroom. Additionally, we can reconfigure the set-up of the system as our needs change — add more shelves, swap out the shelves, make it taller, etc.
We also chose to use inexpensive boxes that look nice and can be repurposed when they’re no longer needed in this space. We went with white because it’s one color that appears in every room of our home.
(As a side note, if you’re trying to decide on tile colors for your bathroom floor, do not go with white. Every stray cat and human hair screams “LOOK AT ME,” which means that we are constantly cleaning the floor. A nice light gray would look just as nice and not require daily sweeping.)
If you have a temporary storage problem in your home, think about a solution that can be reused someplace else when it’s no longer needed in its temporary space. The InterMETRO Shelving also is a great idea for renters who need more storage but aren’t looking to make a permanent installment.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Workspace of the Week: Spring Green
This week’s Workspace of the Week is Since76’s serene green home office:
I really enjoy this office, and want to share Since76s explanation of the space:
Here’s a partial shot of my home office (photos in this set were taken for my Declutter The Mess Under Your Desk! blog post).
The desk is a Palermo office desk purchased from Cost Plus World Market (I believe they’re no longer sold). The Logitech V200 cordless mouse and M$ Natural Ergonomic Keyboard are tucked away on a sliding keyboard shelf - a feature I love about this Palermo desk. BTW, the mouse was purchased for $10 after rebate from Buy.com and the keyboard was purchased for less than $20 new off of eBay.
All cables and power bricks have been hidden behind and underneath the desk as shown in this photo and this photo.
The monitor is a Samsung 173P mounted on an Ergotron Neo-Flex LCD arm which I purchased on eBay for $20 refurbished.
The shelf is from IKEA, but I can’t for the life of me remember the model - I would personally recommend the BILLY shelf system if you’re looking. The storage box on top of the shelf is the IKEA KASSETT, and on top of that rests the FM3 Buddha Machine.
BTW, this is the way my office looks on a regular basis - I’ve tried my best to minimize any clutter and the only thing that is visible is my MacBook Pro (not shown) which connects to the Samsung monitor via DVI.
Thank you, Since76, for sharing your space with us.
Want to have your own workspace featured in Workspace of the Week? Submit a picture to the Unclutterer flickr pool. Check it out because we have a nice little community brewing there. Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Rock Band clutter: A possible solution
Matt warned me back in December, but I didn’t listen. After playing Rock Band at a friend’s house, my husband and I rushed out to purchase a Playstation 3 and the Rock Band game. We were able to justify the PS3 because it includes a Blu-Ray player, which was recently declared the standard for HD movies (much like VHS beat out Beta back in the day). And, while there is no similar justification for buying the game, it has brought hours of fun to our home.
We love our Rock Band game. For me, I get to be a rock star despite having no musical talent whatsoever. For my husband, he gets to laugh at me as I rock out on the microphone or try to keep a beat on the drums. But, the problem we have now is finding a place to store the game pieces when they’re not in use.
Thankfully, reader Melissa has come to our rescue. Melissa sent us a link to the Kotaku site with a review for a rock band stand (and I think Kotaku picked up the link from Gizmodo). At $50, the stand seems a bit expensive. However, the comments to the post she sent us contain a number of do-it-yourself options for how to build your own. Also, if you follow some of the DIY tips, you can even find a way to include space for the drums on the stand.
What do you do with your guitar and drum set when not in use? Share your ideas in the comments.
Popularity: 4% [?]
Reader’s Digest tips to tame kids’ clutter
Reader’s Digest is a fun periodical. Recently, I was happy to come across this article as I was checking out their site. The “6 Ways to Tame Kids’ Clutter” isn’t groundbreaking content, much of it is common sense, but it is still helpful advice. I’ve always found reading common sense solutions in writing makes them click.
Popularity: 3% [?]
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