Colin Healy of Colin Healy Design and Betsy Wacker of Coastal Town Moves gave a presentation to the Charley’s Angels Retiree Group at Union Carbide in Danbury. The focus was on the major life transitions we all face as we plan for our years after work and look at how well our homes will support our new interests and evaluate their safety for our changing physical abilities.
Betsy talked about her experiences as a Senior Move Manager here in Connecticut and internationally. She helps people organize, declutter and stage homes to make room for new needs or passions or prepare for the sale of the house. She shared the painful insight that “your kids don’t want your stuff” and showed how she can help choose the treasures to keep, sell the things that have value and make the rest vanish. When it is time to move, she showed how her network of resources can deal with a move across town or across the country with the least amount of stress.
Colin’s talk, “Create Your Dream Home Without Leaving Home, Design Challenges for the Sandwich Generation” used stories, photos and drawings from his design projects to illustrate solutions to making homes accessible and visitable, while eliminating long neglected barriers to resale. The majority of Americans want to stay in their homes and communities as they get older, but their homes need to be modified to make them safe. As our population grays, homes designed for accessibility are enjoying a broader market. He shared a story of making room for an adult daughter returning home with kids that required turning attic space into a sleeping loft. Another project involved rearranging existing space to create a first floor bedroom suite with an accessible bath and a guest suite for, family, friends or a caregiver.
Here is a note we got from the Charley’s Angels Program Planner from our most recent talk:
“Betsy and Colin, many thanks for coming to the Matrix Center and giving your outstanding presentation yesterday. The subject matter and presentation to us was perfect and well received. I am sure you should get some requests for assistance from the group. Cheers, Frank “
We are looking for other opportunities to take our show on the road in Southern Connecticut. If you know of or belong to a group that might be interested in our presentation, please contact Colin at 203-722-8973
