By Mary Holmes At Integrated Move Management, we love to help our clients reduce their stress. Downsizing, moving and cleaning out a home can be a trying time for our clients and their families. Our team is dedicated to working with each client to meet their individual needs. We also truly understand that when we are working with a client – it is their move, not ours. We don’t dictate how things should be done; we only suggest what may work well and help them meet their goals

By Mary Holmes Integrated Move Management (IMM) is proud to be a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM), the professional organization that guides the industry of Senior Move Managers. This group was formed in the early 2000’s when it became clear that seniors quite often needed help when they are transition from their large and often well lived in family home to a smaller retirement community or condo. NASMM ensures that their members are proper

By Mary Holmes This is a topic I have written about before, but it is important enough to continue the conversation on a regular basis. Moving is stressful at any age – there is just so much to do! You may have to downsize, do home improvements, have your home staged for sale, contract with a mover, and of course, pack and unpack your possessions. But when a senior is making a transition to a new, most likely, smaller home – there are additional stressors, both physical an

By Mary Holmes I often reflect on my business in terms of what is working and what is not and what are the biggest challenges and rewards. Certainly one of the most challenging parts of working with seniors as they are downsizing in preparation for a move is watching the anxiety they feel about letting go of their cherished possessions. A senior transition is extremely stressful for many reasons, e.g. there is a lot to do, there are deadlines to meet, there is the prospect

By Mary Holmes When seniors decide it is time to make a change with their living situation, they can feel a flood of emotions. The thought of leaving a home they have lived in for many years and where wonderful memories were created can bring on feelings of sadness and depression. Additionally, how to get started with such a huge project can bring on stress and confusion. Even if you decide the best move is no move, i.e. age in place, you may need help with ensuring safety

By Mary Holmes As I have said so many times before, starting the process of moving to a smaller home can be quite overwhelming. Most people are unsure where to begin, so therefore, they put it off as long as possible. Read on to learn about some easy steps to take in order to help you get going and reduce the stress of your transition. What Do I Bring? If you have already identified where you are moving, your first step should be to determine what furniture will fit in your

Mary Holmes It is common for most people to look at the project of decluttering or downsizing and not know where to begin. It can definitely be overwhelming and quite stressful, so quite often, the project ends up on the back burner. At Integrated Move Management, we love helping people make sense of the task and reducing the associated apprehension. Here are some guidelines to get your started: Sort by Room – Some experts recommend sorting through items by type, i.e. gath

By Mary Holmes Whether a senior decides to stay in their home as long as possible (age in place) or move to a smaller home or retirement community (downsize), there may come a time when they need some help with activities that have become more difficult for them. The senior may realize themselves that they need some assistance or a family member may make that assessment. The deficiency may be a physical issue or a cognitive impairment. Fortunately, there are many companie

By Mary Holmes So you have made the decision to move – now what? There is so much to accomplish before move day, but as long as you follow some guidelines and have a solid plan – your move day will come and go with minimal stress. Here are some tips to help you make sure your move day doesn’t end up taking a wrong turn. Professionals or Not – As you think (realistically) about preparing for and accomplishing your move, the first decision you need to make is whether or not t

By Mary Holmes As Professional Move Managers, Integrated Move Management is involved in many different types of home transitions. The majority of the time, the homes we work in have already been sold or will be put on the market at the end of our project. What is the best way to get your home sold quickly? There are debates about whether a house should remain full of the owner’s furnishings, emptied of all items, or staged by a professional; whether the time of year a home