From the CEO's Desk

T his will be my last time writing this column for TSI. Effective December 31, 2011, I am retiring from my position as Chief Executive Officer. It is with mixed feelings that I leave the organization. Having served for over 17 years as CEO and seven years as a Program Director, I have many fond memories. The work has been exhilarating, rewarding and at times very challenging. In spite of the obstacles that I have had to overcome to bring TSI to where it is, there are few things that I would do differently. During my tenure at TSI, I have always placed God first and consequently, I believe that I have been blessed in more ways than I can count.

“No matter where I go or what I do,
TSI, those we serve and the staff will
continue to live in my heart.”

So if it has been such an amazing journey, such a privilege to serve, why am I retiring you may ask? I believe that there comes a time in everyone’s life when they have to face the fact that they may just not have the energy or the enthusiasm to face the battles and the hassles that come with this kind of position. They may want a life that is more stress free and that allows more time for family, friends and other pursuits. That is where I am at presently. So while I still love aspects of what I do, I want another kind of pace for myself.

I can’t tell you how many people have asked what I am going to do in my retirement. A type A personality like myself does not retire and do nothing. But I am going to take some time to visit folks that I haven’t seen in awhile; travel; do some of the domestic tasks that I have had to ignore because of the job; and look for opportunities where I can contribute and continue to make a difference. No matter where I go or what I do, TSI, those we serve and the staff will continue to live in my heart. I am going to continue to do what a friend and colleague advised and continue to “Enjoy the Ride.” God Bless!

Sharon Alberts
CEO, Transitional Services, Inc.

Top of Page

Older & Wiser…Not Necessarily — Every Choice Matters

We make many choices throughout life. And as we grow older, although the choices before us increase in importance, they are—more often than not—utterly avoided! But if we face our choices and choose wisely, our choices may not only minimize aging’s impact, they can, in fact, guide us to new adventures!

Our choices are both practical and spiritual, and are necessarily made with a head-on acceptance of our own aging and a conscious decision to be comfortable with that reality.

Aging, however, is frequently experienced by many of us with a simple approach of “What I don’t think about… won’t happen!” Ahhhh…but it does! And our avoidance of those choices may impact not only our own well-being, but the well-being of those we love.

Instead, we can look forward, consider our options and prepare for our own aging, to the degree that we can. We can make conscious choices, and sooner rather than later.

“If we face our choices and choose wisely, our choices
may not only minimize aging’s impact, they can,
in fact, guide us to new adventures!”

What are some of our choices?

First, we can choose to honestly evaluate our personal resources. We can evaluate all of our resources, including:

• Our social network and friendships: Would we like to make more friends? Are we near enough to our family and loved ones?
  
  
• Our current housing: Will it accommodate our needs if we cannot walk easily? Is it close to our family, doctors, stores, bus line, library or senior center?
  
  
• Our health and related health care needs: Do we have chronic conditions that may pose challenges in the future? Can we prepare now for those challenges?
  
  
• Our financial resources, that is, our expected income, assets, insurance coverage and eligibility for benefits: Will they be adequate to maintain our current lifestyle, or are changes in order?

Next, we can decide to identify our own responsibilities regarding those issues, so that others around us are not saddled with decisions they cannot easily make. To address our expected future needs, we can take action now, such as:

• Broadening our social network to the greatest degree possible, through participation in new activities, volunteering and online contact, so that friendships remain vital in our lives.
  
  
• Moving to a smaller living space, so it is manageable, has few or no steps and is closer to our family, doctors, stores and public transportation. We can clear our homes of our unneeded “stuff”! [Give to family! Sell! Donate! Recycle!].
  
  
• Assigning someone as a healthcare power-of-attorney for the management of our future healthcare issues, even those as “simple” as selection of drug insurance.
  
  
• Assigning someone as financial power-of-attorney for the possible future management of our finances, if we become unable, from something as simple as routine as bill payment to as complex as application for public benefits.

Lastly, we can choose to affirm our aging and decide to age spiritually and meaningfully!

Regardless of our level of ability, we can make a point to always know (and routinely re-evaluate!) our personal gifts and talents, determining the most appropriate way to share them with others in need, and, in that way, maintaining a personal and meaningful connection to the world around us.

We can develop the skill—when appropriate—of gratefully and gracefully accepting the kindness of family and of others, learning to resist the urge to remain fiercely independent, if and when, in fact, complete independence may no longer be practical, or safe.

In a combination of dialogue, photographs and writing, or video, we can share the stories of our lives with our loved ones, defining and imparting our core beliefs, and sharing the key life experiences that have molded our very essence.

Finally, we can practice the habit of an eagerness for new participation in life, asking ourselves: What new sights do we want to see? What new interests do we want to try?…foods…music?! What new friendships do we want to develop…and what previous relationships may we want to re-kindle?

There is a world able to offer us new experiences and waiting to benefit from our talents! Making conscious choices in our lives, as we grow older, adds both a practical and a spiritual dimension to our aging: it can add comfort, security and peace, as well as open us to the opportunity for personal growth.

With these and other choices made, we can grow into the adventure of the rest of our lives!

Why I Donate To TSI…

I have been so blessed throughout my life in so many ways that I see giving as my responsibility and an opportunity to give back. I believe so fervently in what we do at TSI that I want the organization to have the extra funds to meet needs that can’t be met through regular funding. And finally, as the leader of TSI, I must model the behavior I want others to exhibit. I can’t ask anyone else to give if I don’t.

—Sharon A. Alberts, CEO

For more information on making a contribution to TSI, please contact:
Gerry Henry, 412-461-1322 ext. 222 •

TSI Information Archive

Top of Page