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Organized Thoughts - Home Solutions Newsletter
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ORGANIZED THOUGHTS   July 2016
Welcome to the July 2016 edition of Organized Thoughts. If you like what you read, please share it with your friends!  Send feedback via the Contact Us form.

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Click this link or the photo below to read my blog post about the NY Times bestseller, "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up."

The green tabs represent things I agree with.The pink? Not so much.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the book if you've read it. What helped? What didn't?

Did you read this NY Times article last week titled, "Mari Kondo and the Ruthless War on Stuff"? The author specifically requested to speak with organizers who were not fans of the KonMari method of organizing. She then proceeded to slam the entire organizing profession with her painfully long, extremely snarky article.

But hey, she mentions this photo of my tabbed copy of the book, so technically speaking, I MADE THE NY TIMES!!

Many organizers wrote comments, but most were kept out by the Times moderators. Mine made it in at the very end, #410 out of 411.

One organizer who was quoted in the article wrote an excellent response in her blog. Heather articulates the thoughts many of us had, and sets the record straight on a few facts the author left out.
Ask the Organizer!

Q:  My loved one has some cognitive impairment issues. It's not full-blown dementia, but it is presenting some challenges. What can I do to help?

A:  Excellent question! First, educate yourself. Here's a link to this topic on the alzheimer's association website.

From an organizer's standpoint, one of the most important tips I suggest is to simplify the surroundings. Eliminate unnecessary surface and floor clutter that causes visual distraction, confusion and overwhelm, or mobility hazards.

Determine what areas of daily life have become more challenging for them, and find ways to address those. For example:

Offer to open and process the mail, or automate as much as you can. Often, a loved one subscribes to too many magazines or supports dozens of charities well beyond their means.

Arrange for someone to accompany your loved one to doctors' appointments. That extra set of ears, and someone who might better articulate health concerns can be a real lifesaver.

Buy a clock, a telephone, or a TV remote that is easier to operate or to see.

Find ways for your loved one to utilize and stimulate their brain. Socializing, exercising, learning something new...all within their physical and mental capabilities, of course.
 
Submit your questions to me via email: jamie@homesolutionswny.com with "Ask the Organizer" in the subject line. I'll choose one reader's question to feature in each newsletter.

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Garage sale season is upon us!
Check out this blog post, featuring my top ten tips for holding a successful garage sale.

 
Are you looking for a speaker for an upcoming event? Are you planning your group's meetings and want something new and different? Home Solutions can help! Click the image below for a list of current presentation topics.


 

These colorful sensors can locate lost things around the house, like car keys, cell phone, or TV clicker.

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