The 'Less Stress...More Kindness' Experience

Over the past year, in both my professional and personal world I’ve been faced with several scenarios involving seniors. It’s really amazing how different people and companies react to the unique needs of this demographic. For example, some people are patient and really understand that many seniors aren’t tech savvy, some may need you to speak slower and eliminate today’s buzz words, while some are always connected, use an ipad and have in-depth business acumen.

After experiencing a few incidents of unethical and unkind behavior towards the seniors in my life, and being told others’ stories of vulture- like treatment I wanted to be sure and take special consideration of this group when they come to us needing property consults, home styling and moving logistics arranged. 

That’s why we created the ‘Less Stress…More Kindness' experience at Regroup. I tend to be extremely service driven as it is (training at the Royal York back in the day will do that to a person!) but with this group I really go the extra mile.

We try to determine what else is going on in their life: is this move an unwanted or unexpected change? Are they physically challenged, medically ill, hard of hearing or seeing, grieving, far from family, suffering early Alzheimers or dementia, in denial of a situation or …. a combination of all of these things? Then we act accordingly. Our team never talks down to the seniors we work with or over their heads. We keep communications, discussions and activities at their comfort level and involve family members whenever possible.

Just think, some of these seniors haven’t moved in 30+ years.

For many, dealing with an unfamiliar industry such as Real Estate can be intimidating.

What a shock – they don’t know how much easier it is in general these days but they also may not know where to start with this daunting undertaking to transition to a new chapter of their life. And it may not even be their choice to sell and move.
I like the idea of possibly being able to take away some stress and make a difficult experience a little easier or an anticipated event a little worry-free.

We've all heard stories of overcharging, padding an invoice, and even selling an unnecessary service to seniors. I could go on with examples of people being borderline criminal to simply taking a little "harmless" advantage of a senior in a vulnerable situation.

We are all going to be a Senior  - it’s better than the alternative - so lets keep in mind what goes around, comes around and pay the ‘Less Stress…More Kindness” experience forward.

Dial "M" for MOLD!
As a home stylist when I help a client prepare to sell their home I am at times, faced with what I call ‘under the hood’ issues. Things that have nothing to do with design, décor and esthetics. These include plumbing, hard water, odd electrical setups, unique and inventive construction and MOLD.

Mold in our homes is an issue that has come to light in recent years as a potentially very dangerous substance. My job as a stager is to focus on the positive attributes of a client’s home and play down the negative, but that doesn’t mean hiding or covering up something as serious as a mold problem.

Most of us know that mold can lead to heath problems and damage to our homes but what some don’t know is that there can be serious home insurance issues. And we all know insurance issues can often mean mortgage issues.

There has to be moisture for mold to grow: it cannot grow in dry places.

Not all molds are harmful to all people but the elderly and those with respiratory problems and allergies are at risk.

How to determine if its mold?

According to CMHC, “Dab a drop of household bleach onto a suspected spot. If the stain loses its colour or disappears, it may be mold. If there is no change, it probably isn't mold.”

Find out what stimulates its growth, learn about special mold testing kits as well as specialists who can help remove it.

Read more on this CMHC site:

Fighting Mold — The Homeowners' Guide