Steve Gurney, longtime advocate for the elderly, is about to embark on a very interesting and hopefully revealing experience. This week, on February 10th, he will “move” into the Paul Spring Retirement Community and live there as a resident for one week.
For the past 20 years, Steve has been helping the elderly and their families select living options, but he has never actually experienced the transition first-hand. As he told me, he is hoping to be able to experience the emotions and gain genuine insight into the transition process. “I think I can share a perspective with individuals, family members and the senior living industry that might create more awareness and allow us to think about innovations to make the transition smoother.”
He realizes this experience is somewhat limiting due to his younger age and short stay but he will be focusing on the “transition”.
Things he will NOT be doing:
* he will not be interviewing
* he will not have a camera follow him
* he won’t have his car
* he won’t have contact with his office or family.
Two of the key things he will be doing:
“• I will be focusing exclusively on my personal feelings about making this transition.
• I will be recording my feelings in writing and in the form of video diaries to share with others.”
Steve has already completed all the pre-transition activities: all the required paperwork, a physical and mental exam, and the very difficult task of deciding what he will be able to take with him in terms of furniture, household items and personal things. It made him realize all he would have to part with. Check out his video as he describes this downsizing process and the surprises he found with that task.
http://www.retirement-living.com/publisher/2009/01/29/entry-6-%E2%80%93-downsizing-and-transition-part-one-of-many-more-posts-i-am-sure
Finally, please bookmark Steve’s website and follow his journey as he moves in on Feb10th.
http://www.retirement-living.com/publisher/
I can remember vividly the day we moved my mother into her retirement community. We tried to think of all we could do to make the transition smooth. Even then, I couldn’t conceive of what my mother’s first night and first day would be like.
Thanks, Steve, for taking on this very important endeavor!!!!
