Mark Your Calendars!
Come and celebrate our state of the art facility! The Grand Opening of Greenway will be held on Sunday, April 7, from 2-4 p.m. Our Greenway building houses our Assisted Living West Columbia, SC and Skilled Nursing neighborhoods. The Prayer of Dedication and ribbon cutting will take place at 2:00 p.m. with a reception and tours afterward. We can't wait for everyone to see this beautiful new building that is serving as such a wonderful home for some of our residents. If you have questions, please call Stephanie Parker at (803)739-5002.
A Look Inside: The Highly Anticipated HopeWell Apartments at Still Hopes
The HopeWell Independent Living Apartments may be brand new, but the excitement started growing about five years ago. That’s when Still Hopes Independent Living West Columbia, SC hosted focus groups and marketing gatherings to find out what residents said they wanted out of living spaces. Shortly after — and with only floor plans, renderings, and a whole lot of faith — prospective residents soon began placing deposits to reserve their very own HopeWell apartment. But Still Hopes needed to complete another, more pressing, construction project — the Jane Bruce Guignard Skilled Nursing building. While that was happening, the anticipation grew, and so did the HopeWell wait list. Through architectural revisions, then construction, and finally, a Certificate of Occupancy, on February 15, 2021, the first family’s moving van arrived. “The staff here were so helpful and ready to do anything. They even greeted us with a nice tray of charcuterie,” said Kate Swanson. “so... not bad!” Kate and her husband, Hayes Mizell, were the first family to be moved in on the incoming resident list. Still Hopes staff plans to move in one family every day, six days a week, until the building is full. This meticulous process was planned so that each resident can receive full onboarding and support, to ensure they feel truly at home. There are 80 apartments to fill, and 70 apartments spoken for, so the process will continue well into May. Interested prospective residents of the HopeWell apartments can take a virtual walkthrough of each of the available floor plans, including the Trenholm, Gervais, and Devereaux apartments. “We have received the most rewarding comments coming from folks upon seeing their home for the first time, many of whom are saying this is better than they expected,” said Stewart Rawson, Director of Sales and Marketing. The new Hopewell Apartments, called the “WellPointe Project” during construction, lives up to its very name in design and implementation. “The last line of the Still Hopes mission statement proclaims that we ‘promote health and wellness for everyone’,” said Rawson. “I believe the HopeWell building embodies what we have been teaching and advocating for many years.” Among the features are: Close proximity to the state-of-the-art Marshall Shearouse Center for Wellness. A wellness studio for group classes, yoga, tai chi and aerobics on HopeWell’s first floor. Open floor plan apartments, with full floor-to-ceiling windows allowing the maximum amount of natural light to wash through each apartment. A café on site featuring healthy, delicious and local cuisine. Common outdoor spaces including a central courtyard with a fire pit, a fountain and a pergola to encourage outdoor gatherings. Under building parking, convenient for residents year-round, but especially during Columbia’s hot summer months. The building itself has 10-foot ceilings in both the apartments and indoor common areas, with wide hallways and apartments recessed and spaced out to give it a more dimensional feel. “Even the HVAC system is state of the art, providing the highest efficiency and highest level possible of clean, filtered air,” said Rawson. “The Leadership Team and Board of Trustees literally have thought of everything.” Kate and Hayes love their new HopeWell apartment and say it already feels like home. They were quick to point out all of their favorite features of their new apartment including a spacious kitchen, their “just the right size” living room, the floor-to-ceiling windows and the beautiful finishes. But the best “amenities” at Still Hopes are the staff and the other residents. Kate and Hayes have had an opportunity to meet other HopeWell incoming residents over the last couple years, through social events and informational meetings. But the current Still Hopes residents and staff have also been extremely welcoming. “People have been very gracious about introducing themselves,” said Hayes. When asked what he is most looking forward to, Hayes, who has been the primary cook of the two, says he’s eager to pass off his apron to Still Hopes’ talented culinary staff. “It’s delightful. I don’t have to make decisions about what to buy for a meal, or worry about preparing it,” he said. And since all residents, including incoming HopeWell residents, have already been offered a Covid vaccine at one of the onsite clinics, Kate and Hayes say they are also excited to take advantage of all of the amenities and social opportunities that are starting back up at Still Hopes. “I think Hayes and I are looking forward to becoming a part of this community,” said Kate. “The offerings are very interesting and intriguing.” For more information on the HopeWell building or to reserve one of the last apartments available, contact Rawson and the Still Hopes marketing team at 803-739-5040 or submit our contact form.
Looking Ahead To The Christmas Season
Well happy almost December! Goodness, this year sure has flown by. We at Still Hopes hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving holiday with your loved ones and are looking forward to a wonderful Christmas season at our assisted living West Columbia, SC. To kick off what many call the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” on an inspirational note, we are including a letter from our Executive Director, Danny Sanford, in today’s blog post. Danny wrote this letter for the December issue of Still Hopes’ newsletter, also known as “Connections”. We hope you enjoy Danny’s words below and we hope the coming weeks bring you much joy! Earlier this year I adopted a new slogan with the Still Hopes Department Directors. That slogan is: BE A 100-WATT BULB IN A 40-WATT WORLD! I heard this phrase at our Leading Age Fall Educational Conference and I liked very much its implications. In fact it resonated with me, and it seemed to resonate with several of the Still Hopes Directors when I shared it with them. As the Christmas season approaches once again, the phrase is taking on yet another meaning for me, and a larger one. My family instilled in me a strong conviction that Christ is indeed the light of the world. A 100-watt bulb in a 40-watt world if ever there was one. This premise, Christ as the light of the world, has never been viewed by me as a question, as far back as I can remember, and from all the indications shared with me by my parents, it was never a question for them either. It was, and remains, a pure, simple, all important fact. There are of course folk who do have questions about this premise. Those who, in fact, do not even believe it. Christmas for some is best known as “The Holiday Season.” Granted, many of those folk still will fervently strive to be 100-watt bulbs in their 40-watt world, and I applaud that fact and their dedication to it. But… I believe it is much easier to be a 100-watt bulb when we have the light of Christ shining through us. This way we can focus on being the best reflectors of His light, rather than having to generate the light ourselves. I’m thankful to have his light available for my use and I hope that you find his light shining brightly in two special ways, first shining through you out to the world, and second that you clearly see the light shining TOWARD you, through many others who surround you during this holy season of the year. Join with me then this Christmas Season and let’s all strive to be a 100-watt bulb in a 40-watt world and enjoy the “enlightenment” that it brings! Christmas Blessings to you all, Danny
Living Out A New Year's Resolution
Do you know one of the top New Year’s resolutions made for 2017? It was to live life to the fullest. Our residents here at our assisted living West Columbia, SC, Still Hopes are a wonderful example of how to live out this resolution every day. Whether it is constantly traveling to a new destination or taking in an exhibit at the museum, our residents are always squeezing every drop out of life. So it should come as no surprise that our residents wanted to kick off a new and exciting year with a party! The Heart ‘n Soul Band played music for this year’s New Year’s Dance Celebration and a wonderful time was had by all! We sincerely wish you all a fantastic 2017 and we look forward to sharing more Still Hopes highlights right here on the blog! At Still Hopes Retirement Community West Columbia, SC our focus is to give you the time and opportunity to enjoy your retirement how you like. Instead of spending Saturday mornings cleaning, enjoy brunch with a group of friends or start a new project that has sparked your interest. We’ll take care of the housekeeping and yard work so your home is always exactly as you expect it to be so you can take your time living the life you love. Residents of Still Hopes live a life of total freedom and peace of mind with numerous services available from home maintenance to medical care.
Lifelong Learning : Information We Can All Use!
"We had the privilege of having Dr. Anil Yallapragada with us for our monthly Healthy Dynamics educational program on September 29th at our Retirement Home West Columbia, SC. Dr. Yallapragada is a neurologist with Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group, and provided an excellent program entitled Stroke Management: Timing is Everything! He educated residents about why our area of the country is known as the "stroke belt;" different types of stroke; what actually happens in the body when a stroke occurs; symptoms that a stroke may be occurring; and how important it is to call 911 immediately when any of those symptoms occur. He updated residents on the medical advances being made that make recovery from a stroke more possible than ever, and the medical expertise available right here at our Retirement Home West Columbia, SC. Dr. Yallapragada noted he was very impressed with our residents' input and discerning questions about the issue of stroke. We at Still Hopes were impressed with Dr. Yallapragada's enthusiasm and passion for his patients and his work; his impressive resume of training and knowledge on stroke treatment and recovery; and his style of delivering this very important information. Residents noted that he was both an excellent speaker and teacher, and that they felt a real connection with him. We so appreciate Dr. Yallapragada for taking this time to be with us to help keep us all healthy and living the best lives possible!" Tacey Gohean, LMSW Director of Community Services
Kicking Off Fall With A Luau!
Wow, what a fun couple of nights at the Luaus here at our Senior Living Community West Columbia, SC! The Sensational Epics put on the best show ever singing those old beach music favorites from the 60s. Everybody was singing along, dancing, and clapping. The line dancers were awesome doing the Electric Slide to Pink Cadillac and Mustang Sally. I was so proud of our ballroom dance class out there doing the rumba they’ve been working on. Of course, the shag was the dance of the night. Culinary Services at Still Hopes Senior Living Community West Columbia, SC did a great job as usual with the food and the tables were beautifully arranged with orchids and other tropical plants and flowers. Fresh pineapples with small orchids graced the tables for centerpieces. Lots of residents brought guests to join them. It was great to see many of our newest folks come, having been invited by neighbors to help them get a quick start at joining the fun we have here. The luau is an annual September event at that was started before I came here in 2000. It is such a fun activity, I would never stop that tradition. Good food, good music, and good friends in a tropical atmosphere is too good to change. -Sherry French, Still Hopes' Director of Activities
Keeping Our Rose Gardens Memory Care Residents Happy and Healthy
News about the recent success with the Covid-19 vaccine gives us hope this holiday season. And the fact that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced this week that long term care and memory care in West Columbia, SC facility residents will be first in line gives us reason to cheer. This is especially important to families who have missed seeing their loved ones at Still Hopes and other retirement communities. Across the U.S., people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia seem to have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic. From anecdotal accounts, we have learned that many people struggling with dementia have been worsening with a lack of regular health monitoring and social interactions. But a recent analysis of data provided by the CDC confirms it. Just in the first six months of the Covid-19 pandemic, there were approximately 13 to 15-thousand more Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related deaths than in any of the previous five years. This only adds to the stress for the families who have to put their trust in others to care for their loved ones. Here within our supportive living neighborhoods at Greenway at Still Hopes, we are proud of the balance we have created with keeping our residents safe, while still providing an abundance of daily enrichment to keep our memory care residents active. One of the biggest concerns for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia during Covid-19 is making sure they receive the proper medical care. “What sets Rose Gardens Memory Care apart is that we have always had in place a medical director, nurses, and dedicated dementia specialists onsite, which has been very helpful during Covid,” said Hilary Bassett, Assistant Administrator and Head Compliance Officer at Greenway. “We don’t use agency staff. Everyone who works on site is an actual employee, and many have been working with residents for years, every single day, and are already part of the Greenway family.” In fact, while many communities have been laying off employees, Still Hopes has been adding employees in every single department during Covid. And going above and beyond with infection control training is just the tip of the iceberg - every memory care staff member receives additional dementia training, so they understand the different triggers for Alzheimer’s and dementia residents. “What upsets a resident or makes them happy can change hour-to-hour,” said Bassett. “Our staff is trained to detect changes in their activities of daily living, and even how and what they are eating. Everyone gets the attention they deserve.” Across the U.S., another major concern is whether dementia and Alzheimer’s patients can stay engaged and keep their minds stimulated during Covid. Rose Gardens Memory Care has its own full-time designated activity specialist. “Bob Michalski is a talented activity specialist and musician who is fantastic with the memory care residents,” said Bassett. Michalski knew that quarantining memory care residents to their room was never an option. So he got creative. Residents enjoyed more activities like trolley rides, feeding the turtles at the pond, and exercising along with all of their other favorite outdoor activities. They took bus rides around town with their individual small quarantined groups. And Rose Gardens hosted weekly hair and nail days, and themed parties. They also safely visited with their families. “Wearing a mask isn’t always an option for residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia, so they face-timed, and enjoyed window visits and outdoor social-distanced tent visits,” said Bassett. “The families are even getting involved through the holidays, by bringing festive decorations from home so we can host a door decorating contest for residents.” “Our success has been evident in that we haven’t had any Covid cases in Rose Gardens, and the families can clearly see their loved ones are happy and healthy. We have also made a point to stay in constant communication. So the families have really been gracious and supportive.” If you are struggling with determining if now is the right time to move your loved one into memory care, the specialists and board-certified staff at Greenway at Still Hopes can assist. We’ll be happy to discuss your options with you and take you on a virtual tour.
A Judge’s Daughter Shares Why She is Thankful
We are thankful for our Still Hopes Retirement Home in West Columbia, SC residents… and we often hear the same reciprocated from them. But every once in a while we get to hear it from the adult children of our residents. And this Thanksgiving when the CDC is discouraging large gatherings, feeling the love and gratitude from the family of our residents resonates even more. Jeannie Clifton is the daughter of the Honorable Edward B. Cottingham, a resident in the River Banks neighborhood in Greenway at Still Hopes. Her father’s first move into the life plan community was in an independent living cottage in October 2008. Clifton and her brother, Edward B. Cottingham, Jr., saw that Judge Cottingham bonded quickly with staff and fellow residents - even spotting a fraternity brother in the Still Hopes Bistro on the very first day. New friends greeted him as well - and he quickly settled into his community. “My dad is one of the most optimistic and positive people I know, and finds a way to be content in every situation, whatever it may be,” Jeannie said. But Judge Cottingham has been more than just content at Still Hopes - he has thrived. Clifton said over the past 12 years he’s become a fixture in the community. He engages with fellow residents and enjoys not just sharing his story, but learning theirs. He likes to talk about the law, but he also loves to learn about history. He has attended parties and lectures and dance lessons - often serving as the only male dance partner. And every year, he makes an appearance at the Still Hopes July 4th outdoor celebration as Uncle Sam, stirring patriotic sentiments in a crowd of peers who have shared a first-hand look at some of our nation’s biggest changes over the decades. He has also made some close friendships. Like fellow Still Hopes resident Lou Sossamon. The late Gamecock great and All-American was regularly spotted at the University of South Carolina baseball games with Judge Cottingham. “He easily made new friends, and they became good friends,” said Clifton. “He found that Still Hopes was filled with interesting people just like him.” And Judge Cottingham is interesting. He joined the U.S. Navy right out of high school because he wanted to see the world, serving on an aircraft carrier and in the Mediterranean and Middle East Theatre. Upon discharge, he attended the University of South Carolina, graduating from the School of Law in 1953. He was named to the USC Debate Team Hall of Fame… and those skills paid off. He practiced law in Bennettsville for 32 years, and was elected Resident Judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, serving there until his retirement in 2000. He continued in the capacity of Active Retired Judge until 2014, six years after moving to Still Hopes. Adding to an already impressive personal history, Judge Cottingham also served as the youngest member of the SC House of Representative from 1954-1958 and again in 1966-1972. He also served as the state Highway Commission chairman, engaged in numerous community affairs, and is a lifetime member of the the First Methodist Church in Bennettsville. Judge Cottingham is adored by both of his children, and his six grandchildren - who have often been spotted dancing, eating or mingling with their grandfather and his friends at Still Hopes. And on Christmas Eve, he will meet his four-month-old great-grandaughter for the very first time. But life hasn’t always been easy - he lost his beloved wife, Iris, two years after moving to Still Hopes. His eyesight has diminished over the years from macular degeneration. He has also battled and won against stage-3 esophageal cancer. “Daddy is as sharp as a tack and he has a wonderful sense of humor. And he has an uncanny ability to rally others to his cause,” Clifton added and laughed. “He has no lack of confidence!” Clifton said his resilience and sense of humor have paid off during Covid. “Daddy has a fun loving spirit despite the curve balls. And Still Hopes has helped. It’s provided a safe place filled with compassionate and professional people who respect the residents and take the time to get to know them. They have done a great job with communicating during Covid, having honest conversations with us about how he is doing and how he is feeling.” “His family is grateful. And he is grateful,” Clifton continued. “He has said more times than he can count, ‘Don’t worry about me. They are good to me and they take good care of me.’ What more could you ask for?” Here at Still Hopes, we are grateful for Judge Cottingham and to his daughter, Jeannie Clifton, for sharing his story with us. Happy Thanksgiving to all of our residents and their families!
Karl and Ella Pfaehler - Serving Others and Living by Example
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” These words once spoken by Winston Churchill have science to back them. Numerous research studies show that the more people give of their time, the happier they are and the longer they live. It’s news that bodes well for Karl and Ella Pfaehler. The Pfaehlers met in nursing school in Philadelphia, and married in 1963. Before they met, Karl had served three years in the Army and decided to make a career of it. Karl and Ella and their two boys, David and Kris, bounced around over the next two decades, and were stationed as far away as Germany. Karl’s service was primarily serving in psychiatric nursing. Ella raised their boys and as they got older and more independent, she resumed her career in pediatric nursing. The Army eventually brought them to Fort Jackson, and they discovered how much they loved the warmth of the South, not just the mild temperatures, but the people as well. So when Karl retired as a Colonel in 1989 after 26 years of service, the Pfaehlers decided to make Columbia their permanent home. Over the years, Ella had discovered a love of swimming but needed an indoor pool for year round exercise. She soon learned about Still Hopes’ indoor pool and swim exercise classes that are open to the community, and was hooked. For three years the Pfaehlers took swim classes, meeting residents and making friends. “We started feeling more and more at home,” said Ella. “And then eventually people started asking ‘so when are you moving in?’” So the Pfaehlers put their house up for sale and made the move in 2016, and have never looked back. “We have more friends here than we’ve ever had in our lives. It’s just wonderful,” said Ella. “There is no strangeness when you meet a new person. They have open arms. People tend to let down their guard because they know you are in the same age bracket and so there’s no judgement.” Karl agreed. “Coming here and meeting the different residents and getting to know the staff - we learned it was the perfect place to retire.” With an easy transition by a welcoming community, the Pfaehlers were able to continue to pursue what they loved doing the most - helping others. Karl had spent much of his pre-Covid time volunteering at the local Veterans Administration hospital, helping vets file their disability claims every Thursday and Friday. He says he looks forward to getting back to that. And Ella has taken volunteering during Covid to another level. “When the pandemic started I came up with a pattern to make masks and got a group of ladies together to sew them. We sewed 12-hundred masks and then moved onto gowns for the employees in the licensed areas. We also made smocks for the beauty shop when it reopened,” said Ella. “We’ve had so much fun we didn’t want to disband, so we’ve made bowl cozies to protect your hands from burning when you take a bowl out of the microwave. We sell those in the gift shop, and profits for those will help with the Still Hopes Resident’s Assistance Fund.” They passed their love of serving others onto their children (both teachers), who, in turn, passed it to the grandchildren. In fact, their youngest granddaughter, Kirstin, is following in their footsteps and graduated just this week with her graduate nursing degree. Kirstin is also a fixture at Still Hopes Retirement Community in Columbia SC, having started here on the wait staff in catering, and then moving to an administrative position. And though she was told she wouldn’t be able to work full-time while pursuing her nursing degree, for Kirstin, giving up her job at Still Hopes was non-negotiable. She defied the odds, even putting in 60 hours at Still Hopes the week of her nursing exams. But it’s not just Kirstin’s desire to serve that pulls her toward Still Hopes. She says she loves the people, the culture of “family” among the employees and residents, and seeing her grandparents daily, and the special bond they share. “They are so sweet to each other. Everyone sees it. At dances he pulls her onto the dance floor and embarrasses her constantly by telling her how great she is. I get to see that too and am learning so much from them,” said Kirstin. Their fondness for each other is evident, in the way Karl talks about Ella. He proudly shared how her love of swimming branched into running and cycling when she became the only resident, alongside many younger Still Hopes employees, to participate twice in the Still Hopes sprint triathlon. And Ella was quick to point out that Karl does more for the Still Hopes community than he is willing to admit. “He just hates to talk about himself. He plays a strong role here in passing information along to the residents via computer contacts,” said Ella. “He keeps an accurate and up-to-date list of email addresses and often helps a resident navigate the intricacies of YouTube and even ordering from Amazon. He’s my Superman.” We are excited to share Karl and Ella’s story, and we want to thank them for all they do for Still Hopes Retirement Community in West Columbia, SC!
Join Us For An Evening At The Mansion
A warm May breeze...sitting on the front porch...a cocktail in your hand...it doesn't get much better than that at our dementia care facility West Columbia, SC! That is exactly how our guests spent the beginning of the evening on May 18th for our annual Evening At The Mansion fundraiser. Folks came out in their best attire for a night of good food, drinks, and fellowship...all to benefit a wonderful cause. The proceeds from the night went to the Still Hopes Resident's Assistance Fund, which provides monetary aid to residents who outlive their resources. Our cocktail hour was followed by a delicious sit down dinner in our Keenan Event Center, where the filet and sweet potato cheesecake stole the show! We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to each of our attendees - thank you for making this truly a night to remember! Home is an integral aspect to life. At Still Hopes, our private apartments and spacious cottages are customized to your lifestyle and personality. What results is peace, relaxation, and absolute enjoyment. With open floor plans and lush outdoor areas, our apartments are central to our senior adult activities and events. Beautiful cottages with two-car garages and colorful landscaping line our community’s cozy neighborhood streets. Our Continuing Care Retirement Community CCRC West Columbia, SC allows you to have an optimal health plan right at home. Let us take care of the chores, landscaping, and home maintenance, and flourish in the resort-style senior living free of stress and worry. Still Hopes isn’t like home—it is home, but better.
If the trees at Still Hopes could speak…
Still Hopes Senior Living West Columbia, SC residents have a lifetime of fascinating tales to share - and its longest-standing community member was no different. The red oak that stood for decades outside of the historic Guignard Mansion was cut down a few months ago, and was recently replaced with an equally beautiful ginkgo tree. The old oak had begun to rot, and it was only a matter of time before it started to drop some minaciously large limbs. But in the oak’s absence, it has many residents and staff wondering about its personal stories. Starting with its age. No one is really sure if it was standing when the Mansion’s foundation was first laid, or if it was planted after. In fact, it’s become a contest of sorts… as the tree’s rings are being dated at a local sawmill, the staff have put out a “ballot” box so residents can slip in their guesses. But regardless of its exact age, there is no question that the old sentinel had Still Hopes’ respect. In the meantime, residents are enjoying the ginkgo… grown in a field for about 15 years and transplanted just last week. This native to Japan is already 14-feet tall, but its “roots” go back 270 million years. These ancient trees are known survivors. In fact, a half dozen ginkgos survived the Hiroshima blast and are still thriving today. The red oak and the ginkgo are vastly different - and their contrast serves as a perfect example of the range of flora that can be spotted throughout the Still Hopes campus. “The ‘plant power’ of what we can do in Columbia, South Carolina is immense,” said Chris Spearen, Landscape Supervisor at our Senior Living Community in West Columbia, SC. “We use an extensive variety of plants and trees with different blooming cycles.” Spearen developed a love of landscaping from his father, a lifelong gardener. He was offered a position after college at the Riverbanks Zoo Botanical Garden, working his way up from intern to senior horticulturist. Three years ago, Chris joined the Still Hopes family. He carefully considers each addition to the gardens across the 44-acre senior living community. “I think about what types of trees and plants would be suitable for that space. I focus on the colors and textures of the plant itself, and not just the flowers,” said Spearen. Residents can enjoy a captivating display year round that stimulates all the senses. In addition to the newly planted ginkgo tree outside of the Guinard Mansion, fragrant tea olive shrubs are found throughout the campus. Bright green tropical palms and near everblooming perennials are interspersed throughout the gardens leading into the McDowell independent living apartments. And Greenway Supportive Living residents can enjoy azaleas and camellias throughout the year, just outside their windows. To learn more about our beautiful and spacious senior living in West Columbia, SC, click on our Virtual Visit to explore.
How to Simplify Your Life: Downsizing 101
Whether it’s the home maintenance, the cooking, the cleaning, or the yard work, most Still Hopes residents will agree, these tasks take up a lot of time, and time is a valuable commodity. That’s why many residents ultimately make the move to Still Hopes Retirement Community in West Columbia, SC - the conveniences! By not having to devote time to those types of tasks listed above, they now have more time to spend with family and friends, and do the things they love the most. But sometimes the very act of moving can seem daunting... with packing the house, sorting through what stays and what goes, hiring the movers, and figuring out where to hang pictures and place the furniture. That’s where Katherine Anderson steps in. Anderson is an interior designer who offers a unique and valuable concierge service to Still Hopes residents. “I help people fix their new space. So I either help them with interior design, like, drapery, furniture, or anything they need for the interior of a cottage or an apartment. And then I actually do a turnkey move, where I go over to their current house and I measure all their furniture, and lay it all on a furniture plan,” said Anderson. “And then we move them. We pack up all their stuff and arrange for the movers. Then the residents arrive at their new home at 5:30 the night of the move and ta-da! Their pictures are up, and their stuff is put away.” Her services are particularly handy for incoming residents who have lived in one place for a long time, or for residents who haven’t had the time to purge items ahead of their move. For those who want to get a head start and “tackle the attic” themselves, Anderson provided a few great tips: Separate everything into three piles - keep, give and throw away. Keep - these are the things that you plan to take with you to your new home. This includes everything from furniture to paperwork (financial statements have a 7-year limit). Regarding clothing, have a friend or some other third party help you go through closets to figure out which clothing items you love, still wear, and that look good on you (i.e. are also still in style). Give - this pile is for your children, grandchildren, or other loved ones to go through. It will include things like that piece of furniture or that beautiful handmade quilt that you may not love but it’s been passed down in the family, or has sentimental value. Throw away - this doesn’t mean that you are literally throwing everything away, though that’s an option! This can also be a donation pile. The point is to get it out of your house. Give yourself a time limit to clean. Set an alarm for 1 to 1 ½ hours and tackle one area in that amount of time. When your timer goes off, bag anything that is in the “throw away” pile and put it immediately in your car trunk or in the garbage. “Because once you let it sit there you are tempted to dig back through the pile and pull out that dollar store cake server that you think you may one day use, but in reality, it’ll just take up space in your new home,” said Anderson. Anderson said when she is called in to help, these are some of the things that she can assist with, along with her design skills. And while she can help find new furniture and accessories for a resident’s new home, her favorite thing to do is to work with the client’s current belongings, finding new ways to repurpose them in their new space. “I don’t need a clean slate. The apartments (unfurnished) look very similar. But I don’t want them to all look the same,” said Anderson. “I want them to look like the people who are in them. That’s the fun part for me.” If you think it could be time for you to downsize and make a move to Still Hopes, we have a new assessment that can help you determine your next steps. Take this quick 4-5 minute quiz, provided by Roobrik, to determine if the time is right for you to downsize. To get a quote from Katherine Anderson or to learn more about her services, call 803-931-8877.