IntroductionMoving can be a significant life event, especially for seniors who are transitioning to a new living arrangement. Whether downsizing to a smaller home, relocating to a retirement community, or moving closer to family, the process of moving can be both exciting and daunting for seniors. In this guide, we'll explore tips and strategies for enhancing seniors' transition experience, making their move a heartwarming and positive journey.Understanding the Importance of a Positive TransitionA positive transition experience is crucial for seniors as they embark on a new chapter in their lives. Some key reasons why a positive transition is important include:Emotional Well-being: Moving can evoke a range of emotions for seniors, including excitement, anxiety, and sadness. A positive transition experience can help alleviate stress and anxiety, promoting emotional well-being.Sense of Comfort and Familiarity: Seniors may feel apprehensive about leaving behind their familiar surroundings and routines. Enhancing their transition experience can create a sense of comfort and familiarity in their new living environment.Supportive Network: A positive transition involves support from family members, friends, caregivers, and professionals. Building a supportive network can help seniors feel more confident and empowered during the moving process.Quality of Life: A positive transition can contribute to seniors' overall quality of life by ensuring that their new living arrangement meets their needs, preferences, and aspirations. Tips for Enhancing Seniors' Transition ExperienceEnhancing seniors' transition experience requires careful planning, communication, and attention to detail. Here are some tips to help make the move a heartwarming and positive journey:Create a Personalized Transition Plan: Develop a personalized transition plan that takes into account the senior's individual needs, preferences, and aspirations. Consider factors such as health condition, mobility limitations, social connections, and lifestyle preferences when planning the move.Communicate Openly and Empathetically: Foster open and honest communication with the senior throughout the transition process. Listen to their concerns, fears, and desires, and address them with empathy and understanding. Offer reassurance and support as they navigate this significant life change.Focus on Comfort and Safety: Prioritize comfort and safety in the new living environment to ensure that the senior feels secure and supported. Make necessary modifications or accommodations, such as installing grab bars, ramps, or handrails, to enhance accessibility and mobility.Encourage Familiarity and Routine: Help the senior establish a sense of familiarity and routine in their new living environment. Set up their new home with familiar belongings, cherished mementos, and essential items to create a sense of comfort and continuity.Facilitate Social Connections: Encourage the senior to connect with their new community and build social connections with neighbors, peers, and staff members. Participate in community activities, events, and outings to foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie.Offer Emotional Support and Reassurance: Be a source of emotional support and reassurance for the senior as they navigate the transition process. Validate their feelings and emotions, and offer encouragement and companionship to help alleviate any fears or anxieties.Celebrate Milestones and Achievements: Celebrate milestones and achievements throughout the transition process to acknowledge the senior's resilience, courage, and adaptability. Emphasize the positive aspects of their new living arrangement and the opportunities for growth and enrichment.Follow Up and Continued Support: Follow up with the senior after the move to ensure that they are adjusting well to their new surroundings. Provide continued support and assistance as needed, and address any concerns or challenges that may arise.At A Call to Order Professional Organizer, we understand the importance of enhancing seniors' transition experience with compassion and care. Our team of experienced professionals specializes in helping seniors and their families navigate the moving process with empathy and expertise. With our personalized approach and attention to detail, we strive to make the transition a heartwarming and positive journey for seniors as they embark on this new chapter of their lives. Let us be your trusted partner in enhancing seniors' transition experience and creating a warm and welcoming environment for your loved ones.

You might not have thought much about beneficiary designations but they can play a big role in your estate planning.            When you purchase insurance policies and open investment accounts, such as your IRA, youll be asked to name a beneficiary, and, in some cases, more than one. This might seem easy, especially if you have a spouse and children, but if you experience a major life event, such as a divorce or a death in the family, you may need to make some changes because beneficiary designations carry a lot of weight under the law.            In fact, these designations can supersede the instructions you may have written in your will or living trust, so everyone in your family should know who is expected to get which assets. One significant benefit of having proper beneficiary designations in place is that they may enable beneficiaries to avoid the time-consuming  and possibly expensive probate process.             The beneficiary issue can become complex because not everyone reacts the same way to events such as divorce some people want their ex-spouses to still receive assets while others dont. Furthermore, not all the states have the same rules about how beneficiary designations are treated after a divorce. And some financial assets are treated differently than others.            Heres the big picture: If youve named your spouse as a beneficiary of an IRA, bank or brokerage account, insurance policy, will or trust, this beneficiary designation will automatically be revoked upon divorce in about half the states. So, if you still want your ex-spouse to get these assets, you will need to name them as a non-spouse beneficiary after the divorce. But if youve named your spouse as beneficiary for a 401(k) plan or pension, the designation will remain intact until and unless you change it, regardless of where you live.            However, in community property states, couples are generally required to split equally all assets they acquired during their marriage. When couples divorce, the community property laws require they split their assets 50/50, but only those assets they obtained while they lived in that state. If you were to stay in the same community property state throughout your marriage and divorce, the ownership issue is generally straightforward, but if you were to move to or from one of these states, it might change the joint ownership picture.            Thus far, weve only talked about beneficiary designation issues surrounding divorce. But if an ex-spouse or any beneficiary passes away, the assets will generally pass to a contingent beneficiary which is why its important that you name one at the same time you designate the primary beneficiary. Also, it may be appropriate to name a special needs trust as beneficiary for a family member who has special needs or becomes disabled. If this individual were to be the direct beneficiary, any assets passing directly into their hands could affect their eligibility for certain programs.              You may need to work with a legal professional to sort out beneficiary designation issues and the rules that apply in your state. But you may also want to do a beneficiary review with your financial advisor whenever you experience a major life event, such as a marriage, divorce or the addition of a new child. Your investments, retirement accounts and life insurance proceeds are valuable assets and you want them to go where you intended.  Chad Choate III, AAMS828 3rd Avenue WestBradenton, FL  34205941-462-2445chad.choate@edwardjones.com  This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.  Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Jerry F. Nichols is a stellar example of continuing to work and support his community long after many have retired.At age 79, he continues to serve as full-time executive vice president of Brown & Brown Insurance and financial representative for Northwestern Mutual. Also, for many decades, Nichols has quietly set an inspiring example through philanthropy, dedicated to improving the lives of children and working adults in Southwest Florida.Combining his career success and philanthropy is something Nichols was recognized for five times by the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. Nichols was also named a Junior Achievement Hall of Fame Laureate, which honors influential, visionary leaders who have significantly impacted the educational landscape for youth in Southwest Florida in entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy.Late last year, Nichols solidified this commitment to the community by making the first major donation to Healthcare Networks capital campaign. This donation will support the construction of the nonprofit organizations planned 20,000-square-foot health center in the Orangetree area of Golden Gate Estates, ensuring essential access to affordable healthcare for the community.The Orangetree area has grown over 75% in the last several years, which makes the lack of healthcare services alarming, said Jamie Ulmer, Healthcare Network president and CEO. Jerrys continued support of our mission is a testament to his generosity and commitment to making Collier County a healthier place for everyone.Located in northeastern Collier County between Ave Maria and Golden Gate, the planned health center is projected to provide care to nearly 30,000 patients in its first year. The array of comprehensive services will include pediatrics, adult and senior care, obstetrics and gynecology, dental care, x-ray and lab, behavioral health counseling and a drive-thru pharmacy.I believe health care is vital to keeping any community thriving, Nichols said. Everyone should have access to essential primary care services. Supporting the construction of the new health center means that Orangetree residents, including vulnerable children and seniors, have access to affordable and comprehensive care without needing to leave their own community.In 2018, Nichols received Healthcare Networker of the Year Award for his pivotal role in supporting the improvement of pediatric care in Collier County for thousands of area children. Then, he was recognized as the lead donor for the Nichols Community Health Center, a 50,000-square-foot primary health care facility in the heart of the Golden Gate community that opened in 2020. This center significantly enhanced essential healthcare services for the largest underserved population in Collier County. Along with the Nichols Pediatric Center at the YMCA of Collier County, it reinforces Nichols vision of making quality healthcare accessible to all children and their families in Southwest Florida.Nichols has not only made financial contributions but has also dedicated his time to numerous causes, primarily focusing on local children and education. Some of the many not-for-profit organizations supported by him include the Boys and Girls Club of Collier County, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, the Community Foundation of Collier County, the Ronald McDonald House of SWFL, and Healthcare Networks Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. In addition, Nichols provides support to various Lee Health programs, including Golisano Childrens Hospital, Golisano Childrens Health Center in Naples, and Golisanos Pediatric Behavioral Health Center in Bonita Springs.  I have focused my efforts and financial support on organizations that have an impact on childrens lives through education, access to health care, and safe environments that help them grow and develop into their full potential, Nichols said. When children arent healthy, theyre not reaching their full potential.   Healthcare Network is actively seeking contributions for its capital campaign with the goal of raising $15 million. Community support is pivotal to achieving this goal and ensuring that every resident in Collier County has access to essential primary care services. Visit HealthcareSWFL.org to learn more about Healthcare Network's mission and contribute to the capital campaign. By Gabrielle OBoyle, director of public relations and marketing, Healthcare Network