Today we talk about the critical role of organizing in caregiving. Joining us for this discussion is Amelia Pleasant Kennedy, a NAPO member and an experienced professional organizer and life coach who runs a company called A Pleasant Solution. Amelia explains how she began her journey into the world of caregiving when her mother could no longer care for herself and how being a professional organizer uniquely prepared her for this role. She shares her story with us about how she first realized her mother needed additional care, how she broached the conversation with her brother, and how together they broached the conversation with their mom. Tuning in you’ll hear how Amelia overcame the emotional challenges of this journey by compartmentalizing, the importance of caring for yourself in a process like this, and some of the unexpected joys that Amelia got out of this experience. To hear Amelia’s advice and encouragement to anyone who may find themselves in a similar situation, or may be serving a client who is going through this process, as well as tips on how to marry compassion with the practical, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The story of how Amelia became a caregiver. [00:03:18]
• How Amelia’s organizing expertise prepared her for caregiving. [00:04:57]
• Amelia explains how she navigated family conversations about her mother’s need for more care. [00:06:38]
• Advice to anyone who has to approach a conversation about care, and the importance of marrying compassion with practicality. [00:08:53]
• How Amelia has overcome the emotional challenges by compartmentalizing. [00:11:24]
• How Amelia’s mother’s home reflected the state of her mental disorganization. [00:12:40]
• Clues that an elder parent may need extra care or assisted living. [00:14:11]
• Some of the unexpected joys that came out of this experience for Amelia. [00:17:31]
• Amelia’s advice to anyone in the organizing profession who may find themselves in a similar situation. [00:20:26].
• Words of encouragement for anyone who may be on a similar journey. [00:23:21]
• The importance of caring for yourself while you care for others. [00:24:55]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Amelia Pleasant Kennedy — https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameliapleasantkennedy/

A Pleasant Solution —  https://www.apleasantsolution.com/

NAPO — http://napo.net/join

NAPO Podcast — napopodcast.com