Confidentiality Isn't a Feature — It's a Foundation

When you invite someone into your life or your home for support, you’re outsourcing tasks and extending trust.

At Simply Golden Solutions, confidentiality isn’t a side note or a checkbox in personal assistant support. It’s a core tenant of how I work and how I serve my clients.

What you share with me, what I handle for you, and what I see in the course of supporting you or your household stays between us — unless you have explicitly given permission for it to be shared.

Trust Is Earned in the Details

Many of the services I provide involve moments and information that are deeply personal:

• Coordinating injury and surgical transportation and post-procedure logistics

• Picking up prescriptions and managing pharmacy communications

• Running errands that reflect your routines, preferences, and needs

• Supporting day-in, day-out household affairs that reveal how your life actually runs

• Being in your home when you may not be present

These are not transactional tasks, they’re part of trusted, ongoing support. They are touchpoints requiring discretion, professionalism, and respect.

Your Business Is Your Business

Whether I’m supporting a busy professional, an older adult aging in place, or a family juggling competing responsibilities, the same standard applies:

• I do not share details about your schedule without your permission

• I do not discuss your household, health, or personal circumstances without your permission

• I do not reference your name, situation, and needs with others without your permission

Even in situations where coordination with third parties is required (medical offices, service providers, or vendors) communication is limited strictly to what is necessary to complete the task and only with your consent.

Why Confidentiality Matters More Than Ever

It is not uncommon for me to support clients while they may be feeling vulnerable. They have peace of mind from knowing:

• They don’t have to explain themselves

• They don’t have to manage appearances

• They don’t have to worry about personal details traveling beyond their control

Support should reduce stress — not create new concerns.

Professional Support, Handled With Care

Hiring a personal assistant or household support professional is an investment in ease, clarity, and calm. That investment only works when it’s built on trust.

When you work with Simply Golden Solutions, you can be confident that:

• Your information is treated with care

• Your privacy is respected without exception

• Your trust is never taken lightly

Supporting you well means honoring your time, your confidence, your dignity, and your privacy.

If you’re looking for support that’s professional, discreet, and grounded in trust in Central Iowa, I’d be glad to connect. Set up time on my calendar to talk about your needs and how I may be able to assist.

Minimize chaos. Maximize joy.

"Mom, How Can We Help?" Having Loving, Practical Conversations with Aging Parents

The holidays are one of the few times everyone is under the same roof. You may be noticing little changes. Or you know your parents have worked hard and earned some ease in this season of life. The shift can feel tender, scary, and heavy all at once.

This is exactly the right time to start gentle, honest conversations about support at home.

Why These Conversations Matter (And Why Now)

Most older adults want to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. Surveys from AARP show that roughly three-quarters of adults 50+ want to remain in their homes as they age. (AARP States)

At the same time, many of those homes aren’t set up for long-term safety, and older adults often haven’t fully planned for what it will take to stay there: grab bars, better lighting, snow removal help, decluttering, and ongoing support for errands and household tasks. (IHPI)

That’s where you can be a key influencer—not to “take over” their life or force a move, but to help them line up the right support so they can keep their independence longer.

Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should

Many older adults can technically still do many things:

• They can shovel snow—slowly, with more risk.

• They can carry laundry baskets—though it throws them off balance.

• They can climb ladders to change lightbulbs—if they hang on tight and hope for the best.

The hard truth: ability isn’t the same as safety.

A loving way to frame it with your parent:

“Dad, I know you can shovel. You’ve done it your whole life. I’m just not sure you should be out there alone on the ice anymore. I’d rather we get you some help so you can save your energy for the fun stuff.”

Or:

“Mom, you’re still so capable. But if one bad fall sends you to the hospital, you could lose a lot of the independence you want to protect. What if we brought in a little help so you can keep living here longer?”

The goal is not to make your parent feel fragile; it’s to show them that accepting help now can protect their independence later.

What the Research Says: Support at Home Helps People Age in Place

Growing evidence shows the right home supports help older adults stay independent and avoid or delay moves to higher-level care:

• Studies on home-based support and home modifications show they reduce falls and help older adults maintain independence in their homes. (PMC)

• A national poll of adults aged 50–80 found that many want to age in place but acknowledge they’ll need changes like home modifications and support with daily activities to do so safely. (IHPI)

• Research on aging in place highlights that both formal supports (like home helpers or personal assistants) and informal supports (family, neighbors) are key to staying at home; caregiving and home-care services can improve quality of life and reduce risks that often trigger institutional care. (PMC)

• Community-based programs that focus on home safety and fall prevention have cut dangerous in-home falls by up to nearly 40%. Changes like grab bars, better lighting, and thoughtful layout make a real difference. (WashU Medicine)

Put simply: a little help with home tasks, safety, and organization now may keep your parent in their home, on their terms, for longer.

How to Start the Conversation Without Causing a Shutdown

Holidays can be emotional. The goal is to invite conversation, not trigger defensiveness. Here are some ways to ease in.

1. Lead with love, not fear

Instead of “You can’t keep doing this. It’s not safe.”

Try “I love you, and I want you to stay here as long as possible. Can we talk about what would make that easier and safer for you this winter?”

2. Name what you’re noticing

Use your own observations as a soft entry:

• “I noticed the stairs seem harder lately—how do they feel to you?”

• “I see a lot of mail and paperwork piling up—how is it feeling to keep on top of everything?”

• “I know winter is a lot of work with snow, ice, and upkeep. How’s your energy for that this year?”

This keeps your parent in the driver’s seat while opening the door to solutions.

3. Ask permission to share your concerns

Try “Would it be okay if I share a couple of things I’m worrying about? I don’t want to boss you around—I just don’t want to ignore them.”

When people feel respected, they’re more willing to consider changes.

4. Focus on what they want most

Most older adults want:

• To stay in their home

• To maintain dignity and control

• To not be a burden on their family

You can connect support directly to those goals: “If we brought in a bit of help—someone to handle errands and chores—that might keep you here longer and keep me from worrying so much. That feels like a win for both of us.”

Practical Ways a Service Like Simply Golden Solutions Can Help

If you’re noticing little warning signs at your parent’s home—cluttered walkways, overloaded to-do lists, or a winter maintenance burden that’s starting to look risky—a personal assistant service can quietly step in and provide support.

Here are some examples of the kinds of support that can make a big difference:

1. Decluttering and Safety Walk-Throughs

• Clear walkways, stairs, and high-traffic areas

• Remove trip hazards (old rugs, cords, extra furniture)

• Suggest simple safety additions like better lighting or nonslip mats

• Organize commonly used items to be easily reached without climbing or bending

2. Winter Home & Property Support

• Coordinating snow removal services

• Scheduling regular checks for icy steps, slick driveways, and downed branches

• Making sure walkways, porches, and entryways are safe and well lit

• Tracking and coordinating seasonal home maintenance (furnace filters, water softener salt, gutter checks)

3. Household Management & “Invisible Work”

• Managing appointments and reminders

• Organizing mail, bills, and paperwork so nothing critical gets missed

• Handling returns, errands, pharmacy pick-ups, and shopping

• Companion for winter transportation, shopping, appointments, and errands

• Setting up simple systems so life at home feels calmer and less overwhelming

4. Project-Based Support (Without Overwhelming Your Parent)

Sometimes big projects feel impossible to start alone. A personal assistant can:

• Break decluttering into small, doable sessions

• Help sort items (keep/donate/sell) without judgment

• Coordinate donation pickups, consignment, or haulers

• Create “next step” lists so your parent always knows what comes next (without feeling pressured)

The goal isn’t to change everything at once. It’s to make steady, supportive progress so their home matches their desire to stay there.

Sample Phrases You Can Use with Your Parent

If words are hard to find, borrow these:

• “I’m trying to protect your independence, not take it away.”

• “You’ve taken care of everyone else for decades. I’d love to bring in a little help so you can be cared for too.”

• “If one icy fall sends you to the hospital, you might lose more independence than if we simply get you help with the heavy lifting now.”

• “What if we just try a helper for a few hours a month through the winter and see how it feels?”

And if they resist, you can soften it: “Humor me and let’s try it once. If you hate it, we’ll rethink. If it makes your life easier, we’ll be glad we started now instead of after a crisis.”

How Simply Golden Solutions Fits In

At Simply Golden Solutions, I specialize in helping older adults in the Des Moines area stay in the homes they love—safely, confidently, and with less strain on their adult children.

Daily Living Support can look like:

• A one-time decluttering and safety session

• Ongoing assistance with errands, household chores, and project support (monthly, biweekly, or weekly)

• Seasonal home-maintenance coordination to reduce fall risks and keep things running smoothly

You don’t have to figure this out alone, and you don’t have to wait for a scary incident to make changes.

Ready to Start the Conversation?

If you’re coming home for the holidays and feeling “just because they can, doesn’t mean they should” when it comes to winter chores and home responsibilities, that’s your cue.

A small amount of thoughtful support now can:

• Help them stay in the home they love, on their own terms, for longer

• Reduce the risk of falls and emergency hospital stays

• Lower stress for both you and your parent

If you’d like help talking through options or want to explore what a customized support plan could look like for your parent in Central Iowa, reach out to Simply Golden Solutions.

Together, we can minimize chaos, maximize joy, and make aging at home a reality.

How Concierge Support Helps Busy Families Stay Organized, Prepared, & Less Chaotic

When you’re juggling school schedules, sports practices, birthday parties, home maintenance, and the endless list of everyday errands, it’s easy to feel like your family is always one step behind. Busy families simply lack the time and mental bandwidth to catch up.

A family concierge acts as the family’s personal assistant; their focus is on making an immediate, tangible impact on how busy families operate. With a few hours of regular support, families can move from reactive to prepared, from rushed to relaxed, and from overwhelmed to in control.

Below are five essential ways a family concierge helps busy families reclaim their time, calm the chaos, and create structure that actually works.

1. Family & Household Calendar Management

Keeping up with everyone's schedules isn't just a task—it's a full-time job. Schools, sports leagues, clubs, dance studios, municipalities, and community groups all operate on different calendars. Trying to keep them straight can feel impossible.

A family concierge can take over this invisible workload by:

• Tracking school events, sports schedules, club meetings, and rehearsals

• Adding reminders for registrations, deadlines, and upcoming fees as well as doctor and dental appointments

• Managing seasonal school dates like picture day, early dismissals, and conferences

• Setting reminders for city services like recycling days, leaf pickup, Christmas tree pick up, and permit windows

Instead of your calendar feeling like a moving target, it becomes a tool that keeps everyone on track. And the mental relief of not having to remember everything is one of the biggest gifts to a busy family.

2. Home Maintenance Coordination

Your home doesn’t maintain itself—and if you’ve ever forgotten to change an HVAC filter or schedule gutter cleaning, you know how quickly small oversights can turn into costly fixes, especially in Central Iowa.

Your family personal assistant helps by:

• Creating a home maintenance calendar suited to your home’s needs

• Coordinating with trusted vendors and service providers

• Gathering quotes and scheduling appointments

• Documenting warranties, appliance info, and contractor details

You get a predictable rhythm for your home without doing the heavy lifting.

3. Errand Running & Household Logistics

Errands can be the time suck of everyone's week. Money lost from items that were never returned by the deadline. The donation bags piled in your closet or trunk creating visual chaos. Prescriptions that require time and energy to pick up. Packing and shipping items so they arrive on time. Carving out time and energy to put away the holiday decorations.

These tasks pull energy, time, and focus away from your family. And, let’s be honest; this work typically falls to the female. A personal assistant can easily take these tasks, and more, off your plate so you can focus your energy on being present.

4. Kid-Related Task Support

Kids’ schedules and needs shift from season to season—and it’s often parents who scramble behind the scenes to keep up. From gear to registrations to ever-changing favorite activities, kids add a layer of complexity to family life.

The family concierge can help with:

• Shopping for school supplies, clothing, sports gear

• Planning birthday parties—decor, favors, invites, food

• Registering kids for sports, camps, and classes

• Reservations for must-see venues and events

This keeps your kids involved, prepared, and excited, without you being the one coordinating behind the scenes during an already busy week.

5. Travel & Activity Planning

Families love creating memories—but trip planning, booking, and packing? That part is less fun. Whether it’s a spring break getaway or a simple weekend adventure, planning takes time most families simply don’t have.

Your family personal assistant can support:

• Researching activities, outings, and family-friendly attractions

• Booking travel, hotel stays, or seasonal getaways

• Creating customized packing lists for kids and parents

• Organizing travel itineraries so every detail is in one place

Travel becomes smoother, easier, and far less stressful—because all the prep is done for you.

A Few Hours a Month Can Change Everything

Busy families don’t need more apps, more calendars, or more systems—they need support. With as little as 2–5 hours a month, a personal assistant can rid you of tasks adding to your mental load and give your family the structure it needs to thrive.

When families get some time back, they feel a little calmer. They shift out of reactive mode. They breathe easier.

If your family is ready to feel less frenzied and more supported, personal assistant services may be the simplest, most impactful solution as you move into 2026.

📍 Serving West Des Moines, Urbandale, Grimes, Ankeny, Johnston, Saylorville, Bondurant, Des Moines, Altoona, Pleasant Hill, Carlisle, and Norwalk

📞 Schedule a Personal Assistant Consult with Simply Golden Solutions today. I’ll help you reduce the chaos in 2026.

Sherrie is ready to support your busy lifestyle!