Last year I had the pleasure of working with a 90-year-old client, Sarah, who had just moved into an assisted living apartment. Her daughter hired me to help Sarah organize her living room and desk so she’d feel more settled in her new home.
The main issue Sarah had was her cluttered desk of medical bills, prescription paperwork, letters, flyers, and so forth. I worked with her to set up a system so she could find what she needed when she needed it, and easily file new documents as they came in. Since she was having trouble with her vision, I made sure all folder labels were written in big and bold letters to help her see. She was happy to see her desk cleared away by the time I left.
Setting up an easy and sensible filing system is important for all of us, not just older citizens. Once an easy-to-maintain system is set up, we don’t have to worry about losing bills or important documents. Having clearly labeled files makes bill paying, tax preparation and the other normal tasks we all face less burdensome, so we have more time to do what we really want to do. And since sudden emergencies can happen at any age, we never know when we might have to rely on a friend or relative to help us pay bills or find information. A good filing system makes navigating unexpected events easier for everyone.
It’s never too late to get started. If I can help, contact me.