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Spotlight on
“SeniorS”
SENIOR
ASSISTANTS
Carol Cozewith (908) 313-6555
Ellyn Mantell (908) 883-0469
ellynmantell@aol.comCoordinatingYour
MOVE to Senior
Living with Ease
& Style
TRANSITION COORDINATORS
Compassion. Comfort. Caring. Since 1935 R. Michael Gallaway, President/Manager N.J. Lic. No. 4803 E. Haas Gallaway, Jr., Vice President/Director N.J. Lic. No. 2676 Bruce Wilber, Director N.J. Lic. No. 2797 Michael J. Badolato, Director N.J. Lic. No. 4976 BASKING RIDGE 908-766-0250 BERNARDSVILLE 908-766-0155 www.gcfuneralhome.com Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home, Inc. SENIOR ASSISTANTS Carol Cozewith 908-313-6555 Ellyn Mantell 908-883-0469 By: Ellyn Mantell Carol Cozewith and Ellyn Mantell Recently, I was once again in the position of helping a senior woman move from her home of over 5 decades, where she and her husband raised their children, where their world was predictable and comfortable, where they lived their entire family life. And I want to tell you that it is life- altering for everyone involved! The senior woman is expected to have adjustment issues…the world she knows so well is changing greatly. But it is also a fact that the children, who may be far along in life, as well, have many adjustments to make. Who will host the next holiday that mom always hosted? How do they break down the myriad of memories that exist in the house? What do they do with all of the pictures, high school diplomas, and memorabilia? How do they go about having a house or estate sale, when the owner of the house is very much alive and involved? All of these ques- tions require tender responses, and how they are answered may deter- mine, to some extent, how the senior adjusts and feels about him/herself. Let me help you to begin the process, and then, at any time along the way, you can reach out to me and my partner, Carol Cozewith, for help. Carol and I will introduce you to Senior Assis- tants. Our service may just come along at the very moment you need us most! Gone are the days, for many of us, when we all lived together in one home, one neighborhood, or right next door to mom and dad as they transitioned to grandma and grandpa, and then to great-grandparents, and so on. More common than ever, we frequently move across the state, or even across the nation or ocean. So when our parents require our assis- tance, we are panicked at the reality that we want to be there to meet their needs, but we simply have to recog- nize our responsibilities to our jobs, our families, our other commitments. Carol and I have seen the future, and we are utilizing our desire and ability to work with a population that benefits from our caring and concern for them, as they transition to their next phase of life. Apartments, inde- pendent living, assisted living are all awaiting us as the next step in the aging process. And “aging in place” is such a wonderful, as well as greatly possible concept, if approached with the sensitivity all of us need at that time of life. How wonderful it would be if all our parents and grandparents were made to feel secure and loved. Here is how we work: we assess the move from where the senior is living to their new home. We spend time with them to determine what furniture and furnishings should go to their new dwelling. (This is perhaps the MOST IMPORTANT thing we can do to insure happiness in the new location!) Amongst the many parts of a move, we can hire movers, estate sales per- sonnel, contractors to ready home being sold. We will stage that home, and set up the new location. We inter- face with the administrative personnel at the new facility for the move, work with maintenance, and the list contin- ues. Although I have encapsulated the process, it can be quite overwhelming for those with less experience. But we pride ourselves on truly hearing what the senior needs and wants, and what their children have less time (and sometimes patience) and expertise to accomplish. If you have made the decision to move your parent to a new home, or would like more information as to how Carol and I can help ASSIST in his/ her move from beginning to end, please contact me at 908-883-0469 or ellynmantell@aol.com. I know your parents will be grateful, and you will feel a sense of relief you could never have imagined! DOES YOUR PARENT NEED HELP? www.theconnectionsnj.com