(Reuters) – When Rod Thorpe and his wife, both seniors, faced moving from their 4,600-square-foot house into a small apartment a year ago, they turned to a professional downsizer. The consultant, Christine Smart, encountered some twenty years worth of stuff stacked up in the Thorpes’ Cedar Rapids, Iowa home. She dove right in, arranging an auction, handling online sales on craigslist and eBay, and donating to charities. Smart also oversaw move-related details, such as cataloging items, space planning, packing, shipping and unpacking. Outsourcing these onerous tasks allowed the Thorpes to avoid much of the stress that comes with moving from a longtime residence.

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St Petersburg, FL

Senior Move Managers assist adults and their families with both downsizing to remain in their current home, as well as the entire process of moving to a new residence. Senior Move Managers specialize in helping their clients with the emotional and physical aspects of sorting through and a lifetime of memories in the transition process. They understand the myriad of safety, ethical, and communication issues involved with working with older adults.

Recognizing and managing the stress of downsizing and relocating older adults is the hallmark of the National Association of Senior Move Managers. “Most older adults making a transition have been in their homes for 30, 40 or 50 years and need to downsize considerably,” said Barbara Marshall, Co-Owner, House to Home Relocation.  “The organizational and physical tasks – whether you are moving or downsizing to stay in the home – can be overwhelming. We work to reduce the stress that can accompany these transitions.”

Adults aged 85 and above are the fastest growing segment of the US population. At the same time, social changes – such as more women working full time – have made it increasingly difficult for family caregivers to provide all of the support needed for these transitions.  Senior Move Managers assist older-adults and their families in all aspects of downsizing and relocation.

According to Mary Kay Buysse, Executive Director of NASMM, “Family and friends often want to help, but there may be barriers. Adult children may be sandwiched between their parents, their careers, and their own family obligations. For family members living far away, the barriers are often geographic. Some seniors have no surviving children, or their children are seniors themselves. If illness or death precipitates the transition, the family may already be drained both emotionally and physically.  Senior Move Management has emerged to fill the gaps and to make downsizing easier for everyone involved.”

House to Home Relocation is owned and operated by Jay and Barbara Marshall of St. Petersburg, FL and serves the Tampa Bay area. For more information please contact them at 727-388-2651 or info@hthrelocation.com.

Founded in 2002, The National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) is a not-for-profit, professional association of organizations dedicated to assisting older adults and families with the physical and emotional demands of downsizing, relocating, or modifying their homes.  As the only professional association in North America devoted to helping the rapidly increasing 55+ population with middle and later lifestyle issues, NASMM’s 700-plus members are committed to maximizing the dignity and autonomy of all older adults.

NASMM is nationally recognized for its innovative programs, leadership and expertise on issues related to Senior Move Management, aging in place, and transition and relocation issues affecting older adults.  Before achieving full general membership, all NASMM members are screened for experience and insurance and must pass certificate classes in Senior Move Management Ethics and Accountability and Senior Move Management Safety. Additionally, all NASMM members sign the NASMM Code of Ethics and agree to the guidance and oversight of NASMM’s Ethics Compliance Commission.

For more information on Senior Move Management or NASMM, visit www.nasmm.org or contact NASMM directly at 877.606.2766 or info@nasmm.org.

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They  addressed many topics such as  ethical and legal issues, practices in operating a senior move management business, providing value to our clients, using social media platforms to enhance senior move management opportunities, topics on organizing, helping hoarders, designing new spaces for clients, plus many more related topics.

Barbara is pictured above with Jennifer Pickett, NASMM’s Associate Executive Director at the NASMM registration booth, and another picture of Barbara with Rita Rodriguez, SMM of Seniors Moving Forward here in Tampa Bay, and Leann Moore, SMM of A Stress-Less Transition, also of Tampa Bay.

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http://www.familycircle.com/home/organization/tips/20-simple-ways-to-clear-home-clutter/

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Barbara and Jay Marshall of House to Home Relocation are featured in the September / October 2012 edition of the Northeast Journal in the Goodness InDeed section of the publication for their work with 83-year-old Margaret Bonanno. More information below:

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Downsizing personal possessions is a core service provided by Senior Move Managers who can be a trusted partner in helping those who are overwhelmed with “ what do I do with all of my stuff?” The article is not about senior hoarding, but rather “normal clutter.”

This challenge is often what I encounter with my clients; and once they see what resources are available to liquidate or donate, or sell, or send/give to family/friends, the overwhelming feeling becomes less overwhelming….

http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/22/possession-paralysis-revisited/

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