The National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) has declared May 12–18, 2024 National Senior & Specialty Move Managers Week. During this recognition week, NASMM and NASMM members around the world are promoting the value of Senior & Specialty Move Management and Move Managers’ commitment to assisting older adults and their families with later lifestyle transitions and individuals who have unique needs.  

Senior & Specialty 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. Move Managers specialize in helping their clients with the emotional and physical aspects of sorting through a lifetime of memories in the transition process, while providing them with effective options and resources to increase efficiencies and reduce stress. The theme of this year’s celebration, “The Art of Moving Memories,” underscores the hallmark of move management — helping clients part with possessions without parting with memories; and the unique skills Senior & Specialty Move Managers® offer their clients and families throughout the downsizing, relocation, or aging-in-place process. 

“For adults who have lived in their homes for 30 or 40 years, it’s more than just a move. Most older adults making this type of transition need to downsize considerably,” said Cecilia Beisler, Owner, A Simpler Life Now.  “The organizational and physical tasks — whether you are moving or downsizing to stay in the home — can be overwhelming. Families need a professional to provide them with the necessary tools essential to reduce the stress that can accompany this type of move — and that’s exactly what we do!”

According to Jennifer Pickett, Co-Executive Director of NASMM, “Senior & Specialty Move Managers® have significant expertise, resources, and approaches to save time, money, reduce stress, and produce quality results. Services are client-centered and personalized to meet the client's needs, providing an expertly managed, compassionate, and affordable move.

A Simpler Life Now is a senior move management company serving seniors and their families in New Jersey and parts of the New York Metro area. They offer a full range of services to assist with the moving process. They help you downsize your space, organize your house, sort paperwork, plan the floor layout, coordinate with movers, pack up your home and even help you unpack and settle in. They take the hassle out of your move. A Simpler Life Now has been a member of NASMM since 2019.  For more information please contact us.

Founded in 2002, NASMM is a not-for-profit, professional association of organizations dedicated to assisting older adults and their families with the physical and emotional demands of downsizing, relocating, or modifying their homes. As the only professional association of its type devoted to helping the rapidly increasing 55+ population with middle and later lifestyle issues, NASMM’s 900-plus members are committed to maximizing the dignity and autonomy of all older adults.

NASMM is internationally recognized for its innovative programs, leadership, and expertise on issues related to Senior & Specialty Move Management, aging in place, and transition and relocation issues affecting older adults. Before achieving full general membership, all NASMM members must show proof of insurance and must pass four competency classes. Additionally, all NASMM members sign and adhere to the NASMM Code of Ethics, and agree to the guidance and oversight of NASMM’s Ethics Compliance Commission.

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

Make the most of February's 29 days this year with this decluttering guide! Tackle these 29 easy-to-declutter items and create a fresh, organized space to enjoy the extra day (and move into spring with a clean space!).

Conquer Counters

1. Mismatched Tupperware or containers without lids

• Sort through your storage containers, recycling or repurposing ones without mates or lids.

2. Unused kitchen gadgets

• Donate gadgets you rarely use to free up valuable kitchen space.

3. Outdated or expired food and spices

• Check pantry items for expiration dates, discarding anything past its prime.

4. Chipped dishes, mugs, and glassware

• Replace or repurpose damaged items; declutter your kitchen essentials.

Untangle Tech

5. Tech cord clutter

• Organize cords using cable organizers or ties to reduce visual and physical clutter; delete duplicates or unused items.

6. Digital clutter (duplicate photos, unopened email, unused apps, outdated software)

• Dedicate time to delete redundant photos, off-load unneeded apps, and update software for better device performance.

Funnel Fashion

7. Broken jewelry

• Repair or repurpose, or consider donating pieces you no longer wear.

8. Extra hangers

• Keep only what you need, recycling or donating excess hangers.

9. Worn out clothes, underwear, or socks

• Declutter your wardrobe by discarding worn-out items and making space for new essentials.

10. Tired shoes and sneakers

• Toss or donate shoes that have seen better days.

 Filter Funtimes

11. Dried-up or expired art supplies

• Refresh your artistic space by discarding dried-up supplies and organizing the rest.

12. Travel-size toiletries and makeup you never use

• Streamline your beauty routine by donating unused items to local thrift shops or shelters.

13. Exercise and sports clutter

• Evaluate your sports equipment, donating or selling items you no longer use.

14. Expired sunscreen or skincare products

• Ensure your skincare items are within their use-by dates for maximum effectiveness.

15. Board games or puzzles with missing pieces

• Declutter entertainment spaces by recycling incomplete games or puzzles.

16. Toys your children or grandchildren have outgrown

• Donate toys to clear space and bring joy to others.

Household Havoc

17. Expired warranties or guarantees

• Dispose of expired warranties and guarantees, freeing up space in your files.

18. Expired coupons or promotional materials

• Organize your coupons and promotional materials, discarding outdated ones.

19. Unused manuals or instructions

• Digitize manuals or store only essential hard copies.

20. Old receipts

• Shred old receipts, keeping only those necessary for potential returns or warranties.

21. Burnt-out candles

• Repurpose candle jars or discard safely.

22. Dead plants

• Refresh your living space by removing dead or dying plants.

23. Expired or unneeded medications

• Safely dispose of expired medications following proper guidelines.

24. Paper clutter

• Go through paperwork, recycling or digitizing documents to reduce paper clutter.

25. Magazine clutter

•  Consider canceling subscriptions or recycling old magazines.

26. Books you'll never read again (or never started)

• Donate or sell books that no longer serve a purpose in your collection.

27. Old greeting cards with no sentimental value

• Keep only meaningful cards, recycle or donate the rest.

28. Outdated travel brochures or maps

• Organize travel materials, discarding outdated brochures and maps.

29. Empty gift boxes and tissue paper

• Store only a few versatile boxes and discard excess, freeing up storage space.

So grab this year’s Leap Year decluttering guide (download an easy-to-read copy), roll up your sleeves, and conquer your clutter as we move into spring!

As you gather with loved ones during the Thanksgiving holiday, it's essential to cherish not just the joyful moments but also the importance of prioritizing your family's health and well-being. In line with the spirit of National Family Health History Day on November 23, there's no better time to foster open discussions about your health and ensure preparedness for any unforeseen emergencies. We encourage the sharing of an emergency contact card (download and print one here) as a thoughtful gesture, emphasizing the significance of preparedness and support in safeguarding your family's health during this meaningful occasion.

By sharing an emergency contact card during this time, families can:

Encourage Proactive Health Awareness

Discussing health history encourages family members to be more aware of potential genetic or hereditary health risks, allowing for proactive measures and better disease prevention.

Strengthen Family Support

Sharing an emergency contact card emphasizes the importance of familial support, ensuring that essential contact information is readily available for quick access during any health-related emergencies.

Promote Open Communication

Encouraging open conversations about health history promotes a culture of transparency and understanding within the family, fostering a supportive environment for addressing any health concerns.

Through the simple act of sharing an emergency contact card, families can embrace the spirit of National Family Health History Day, fostering a culture of health awareness and preparedness, and reinforcing the value of unity and support during the Thanksgiving holiday.

For more information on National Family Health History Day and related health initiatives, visit the National Today website.

Hiring a Senior Move Manager can bring numerous benefits, especially when it comes to assisting older adults with the often complex process of downsizing and relocating. Here are five key benefits of hiring a Senior Move Manager:

1. Expertise and Experience

Senior Move Managers possess extensive knowledge and experience in helping seniors transition to new living arrangements. They understand the unique challenges and emotional aspects involved and can provide expert guidance throughout the process.

2. Stress Reduction

Moving can be an incredibly stressful experience, particularly for older adults who may have lived in their current homes for many years. Senior Move Managers can alleviate much of this stress by taking care of the logistics, planning, and organization, allowing seniors to focus on adjusting to their new environment.

3. Customized Support

Senior Move Managers offer personalized services tailored to the specific needs and preferences of their clients. They can provide assistance with sorting and downsizing belongings, arranging for packing and unpacking, coordinating with movers, and even setting up the new living space to ensure a smooth and efficient transition. A Simpler Life Now can create personalized floor plans to make sure what you take fits as you expect it to.

4. Access to Resources

Senior Move Managers often have a network of resources and contacts within the senior living industry, including real estate agents, moving companies, donation venues, cleaning services, auctioneers, and other relevant professionals. This network can be invaluable in ensuring that the entire moving process is well-coordinated and streamlined.

5. Emotional Support

Moving from a long-time residence can evoke strong emotions and sentimental attachments. Senior Move Managers are trained to provide compassionate support and guidance, helping seniors and their families navigate the emotional aspects of this major life transition. Their empathetic approach can make the process more manageable and less emotionally taxing for the seniors involved.

Our team at A Simpler Life Now is ready to help you navigate the downsizing and moving process. Give us a call today, (732) 887-0095, — or use our contact form — to sign up for a free consultation to see how we can help take the hassle and stress out of your move.

Here are some of the best ways for organizing paperwork in your home.

1. Keep everything in one place:

Designate a specific area in your home where you keep all of your important paperwork. This can be a drawer, a folder, or a binder. Keeping everything in one place makes it easier to find what you need when you need it. When your mail arrives, immediately sort through it and recycle the junk mail before you have the opportunity to place it in that designated space.

2. Sort your paperwork:

Separate your paperwork into categories, such as medical records, financial documents, insurance policies, and personal correspondence. This makes it easier to find what you need and prevents important documents from getting lost.

3. Get rid of unnecessary paperwork:

Go through your paperwork and get rid of anything that is no longer needed. This can include old bills, receipts, and expired documents. Shredding or recycling these documents can help free up space.

4. Use color coding:

Consider using different colored folders or labels for different categories of paperwork. For example, you could use red for medical records, blue for financial documents, and green for insurance policies. This can make it easier to quickly identify what you need.

5. Label everything:

Label your folders, drawers, and bins with clear and concise descriptions of what is inside. This can help you quickly find what you need without having to sort through everything.

6. Utilize technology:

Think about digitizing important documents such as insurance policies, bank statements, and medical records. This can make it easier to access these documents from anywhere and free up space in your home. If you’re not feeling tech-savvy, consider asking a family member to help (this can give the family member access to essential documents as well, which can be a life saver in case of an emergency).

7. Keep up with maintenance:

Make it a habit to go through your paperwork regularly and get rid of anything that is no longer needed. This can prevent clutter from building up and make it easier to manage your paperwork in the long run.

By following these tips, you can organize your paperwork and make it easier to find what you need when you need it. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. There are many resources available to help you to organize your paperwork.

So many of my clients have such great big hearts, and when it comes to downsizing, they want to know how their possessions can make a difference in the life of others. 

While their children and grandchildren may be happy to make room for a cut crystal vase, a small mahogany table, and vintage Pyrex bowls, they understand that—for the most part—many of their cherished possessions that will not fit in their downsized new homes need to be “disposed of.”

How and where to donate household items

So what is to be done with a houseful of treasures that no one wants? Can they be donated? Who would want them, and how can you get them to these organizations?

My clients often ask me what thrift stores and charities are willing to accept. What makes a good donation?

Let’s break it into categories:

HOME DECOR

For furniture, donate those wicker pieces that would go great in a sunroom or on a porch. Office chairs, mirrors, and night stands get gobbled up. Buyers would love your china and crystal too. People shopping at thrift shops can’t get enough seasonal decor—so pack up those holiday ornaments and decorations carefully, and donate away. 

Think bedding, linens, pillows, draperies, curtains, rugs, comforters, lamps, baby items, art and frames. Hospital gift shops love to get back donations of vases.

All donated items should be clean, and in gently-used condition. 

BOOKS

Lurking beneath the worn jackets of many hardcover books are beautiful covers that would look great displayed on a shelf or coffee table. Even realtors buy up books to make their empty listings look more homey.  

MUSIC COLLECTION

There are lots of die-hard music fans who may be waiting for your Bowie or Beatles collection. Donate your LPs and CDs for that lucky thrift shop scavenger hunter.

IN THE KITCHEN

Gadgets, pots, pans, coffee makers, blenders, and dishes are all great to donate to a thrift store or other charity. Don’t forget glasses, silverware, and small household appliances.

When bringing food to shut-ins or those who have had recent surgery, it’s nice to send dinner not in a throwaway-metal tin, but on a real platter or in a serving bowl. Donate those and they will be sure to go to good use.

CLOTHING

Boy, those closets are stuffed! Tired of finding forgotten items with the tags still on them? It will be great to move into your new place with a closet that has room to see all of your clothing choices. That means it’s time to purge. Just because something is out of style, don’t think it’s unwanted. First off, we know everything comes back. (I just saw an ad for gaucho pants!) Second, vintage items are hugely popular now and can look so trendy with the right accessories. Your white go-go boots can get new life. Think theme parties.

Halloween clothing and costumes can be used for theater performances or dress-up for kids. So can old recital attire. Donate, donate, donate. 

ELECTRONICS

That old boom box? Yup. Playstations and laptops? Yes. DVD players and old monitors? Check. Different organizations will accept most of these items. But those old clunky TVs? Not so much. One client told me a story about being unable to donate her big old 35” television. Even church basements have flat screens these days. (But, some NJ towns offer electronic recycling centers as well as some Best Buys that may just take your clunky old TV!)

TOYS

Remember the Pokemon craze? How about Cabbage Patch? There is always a market for board games, puzzles, dolls, sporting equipment, action figures, and Legos. Check specific organization’s rules about stuffed animals. 

OTHER EQUIPMENT

Step aside Jane Fonda. Donate exercise equipment and gear—weights, step platforms, fishing poles, snowboards, and baseball bats. Around here, lacrosse and soccer equipment is always wanted. Tools, drills, nail guns, lawnmowers, weed eaters, outdoor furniture, spreaders etc. are welcome as well. Bicycles, musical instruments…yes please!

Where to Take Donations

Some great places to donate your items:

• VA Hospitals are always looking for men’s clothing, electronics, and small kitchen items 

• Westfield Service League (thrift and consignment shops)

• Check your local preschool to see if they are collecting children’s board games, toys, and books

• Homeless Solutions

• Green Drop 

• Selective Seconds 

• Furniture Assist 

• MyUnique Thrift

• Yellow Tag Thrift

• Goodwill

• Market Street Mission

• The Vietnam Veterans of America, a national non-profit organization that assists U.S. veterans, will pick up clothing, as well as most household items, through Pickup Please. They accept all types and sizes of clothing, from baby sweaters to junior’s dresses to men’s sportswear, whether they were popular when Nixon was president, or if they were bought last year at the mall. Think shoes, boots, belts, ties, handbags and accessories, in addition to regular clothing items. They sell your donated items to private companies by annual bid, which generates the majority of the funding to support the local, state, and national programs of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

Don’t get overwhelmed by all the items you would like to donate! A Simpler Life Now is here to help. We will pack up and deliver your donations for you at various charities throughout New Jersey, and you will even get a receipt for your taxes. We’ll pick up and deliver your larger items as well, and even pack up and deliver your unexpired cans of foods and pastas to food banks while you are downsizing. Contact us today to see how we can help.

Join The Delaney of Bridgewater and Cecilia Beislier for a seminar designed to make the process of organizing, decluttering, and downsizing easy.

It doesn’t have to be complicated.

Come see for yourself with a presentation by expert Senior Move Manager Cecilia Beisler, founder of A Simpler Life Now. She assists older adults and their families with the physical and emotional aspects of moving. Learn how to manage your “stuff” and make your next move to The Delaney with ease.

Event Details

Get the right advice for rightsizing:

Saturday, March 25 • 1 to 3 p.m.

The Delaney of Bridgewater

901 Frontier Road
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
TheDelaneyofBridgewater.com

RSVP by March 22 to (732) 253-4101

Hurry, space is limited.
Refreshments will be served.

Please feel free to download the flyer and spread the word!

A huge part of downsizing is deciding what to do with massive book collections. 

Back in March 2021, we talked about smart ways to part with the book stacks that have accumulated over time. 

Since then, I’ve noticed that a growing part of that collection is cookbooks. Maybe it was all the eating in we did during the pandemic, with the search for both comfort food and gastronomic specialties. You may have discovered a new favorite recipe or two, but moving all those books into a new space would eat up most of the available shelving space in your new home, meaning you could not bring more meaningful mementos or books of another genre.

With the rise of celebrity chefs, many of these books have been received as gifts, and people find them hard to part with. Perhaps you like the celebrity chef, or you really, really want to get around to cooking like Emeril…or Giada…or Guy.

Guess what, that’s probably not going to happen. And if you do decide to cook Ina Garten's Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken, it is probably easier to look the recipe up online than it is to pack, cart, and unpack her bulky cookbook, and the 20 others sitting on your shelf for accompanying side dishes.

So what can you do with your cookbook collection?

My best suggestion is to download a recipe app. This is a great way to organize your favorite recipes so that they are all in one place, and so easy to store. Best part—the apps are searchable, so you can plug in “shallots” or “vanilla frosting” or “country meatloaf” to find your favorites.

A couple of our favorites: Paprika ($4.99) and Recipe Keeper (free and pro versions) are popular apps that allow you to upload, save, and locate your recipes and add recipes from websites to it. Websites like allrecipes.com allow you to search a database of thousands of recipes that have been tested and rated by others. You can search by ingredient, prep time, and even allergies. 

Don’t want to digitize?

If you like all the handwritten recipes you have collected over the years with little notes you made tweaking the ingredients, or if you have favorites you have torn out of magazines, you can store them in a three-ring binder. You can use old-fashioned tabbed dividers to create categories like “appetizers,” “sweets,” “Sunday brunch,” and “family favorites.” 

Consider protecting them with plastic sheet protectors. These are great even for loose recipe cards. 

Special cookbooks that have been treasured through the years can be kept, but you’ll want to protect them from falling apart before the move. A family heirloom or valuable vintage cookbook that has seen better days can be restored by a professional bookmaker. 

For those books that do make the cut, consider the lighting in your new kitchen. To keep the bright covers from fading make sure that they don’t get direct sunlight, Heat and moisture can also damage them. Keep them away from the stove so they won’t get covered with greasy residue. A cookbook stand with a splatter shield can guard the page while you are using it. 

If your collection is small, don’t worry about organizing them by cuisine. You might consider a system of various colored post-it notes for marking favorites of different nationalities and meals. (Red for favorite spicy dishes, green for vegetables and salads, etc.)

Before the move, donate or sell the books you aren’t keeping. Check with local libraries, used-book stores, and thrift shops to see if they take donations. Some books are collectible and have a market on resale sites like ebay. 

And if you want to test out all the chocolate-chip cookie recipes in your collection, they do make an excellent treat on moving day! 

Bon Appetit!

Marie Kondo made it official.

She now calls herself a “life coach.”

But if you talk to most home organizers, senior move managers, and downsizers, we all have a lot of life coaching in our practices. 

The New York Times says that Kondo suggests we look at the world from an object’s perspective, to understand how it might feel crushed or smothered in an undifferentiated heap of possessions. But that’s old news. In her new book, she shows photos of pristine rooms “Instagram-worthy” photographs that are serene, minimalist, sleek, and crisp.

The book’s editor says that her goal is to help readers determine what style works for them. 

What’s Your Style?

What do you think your style looks like?

There is no right answer.

That’s where the life coaching comes in.

When I work with my clients, the first thing we do is talk. We delve into how you live now, and what your expectations are for your new place. What things are most important to you, and what you are ready to let go of.

We know it can be an extremely difficult process to part with items that have been part of your life for decades. We’ll listen to the importance and history of your things, and will help you create a plan to determine what you need to part with because it just won’t fit, and what you might be able to keep.  

There are so many factors to consider, namely whether or not you want your smaller quarters to replicate your current home as much as possible, or if you want a fresh new look, even mixing up what you currently have and repurposing your things to serve you in new ways. 

For example, that server in your dining room might be beautiful in your entryway if you no longer have a formal dining area.  

How Move Managers Help You

We will help you:

• Sort items to sell, gift, donate, or recycle

• Organize and downsize your kitchen, bathroom, pantry, and closets

• Sort and organize your basement, attic, and garage

• Sort paperwork

• Coordinate the removal or donation of the unwanted contents of your home

Marie Kondo writes that a big obstacle to having a tidy home is the gap between the way we live our lives and our ideal lifestyles.

Downsizing with A Simpler Life Now helps solve that problem, as we envision what you want your home to look like and what purpose each area should serve.

Reach out to us to begin your transformation.

Don’t forget your floppy hat and sunglasses when heading to the beach!

“It’s hot out there!”

“It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.”

“You can fry an egg on the sidewalk.”

Those cliches are cliches for a reason. Not much else to say about the summer heat other than these tried and true.

Think about using these dog days of summer to organize everything you need for a day in the sun.

Going to the beach? 

If shore excursions are a regular event in your house, keep a bag packed with the essentials:

• Fill a ziploc bag with sunscreen, mosquito repellant, and after-bite solution.  

• Pack floppy hats for every family member, as well as sunglasses, and water shoes. 

• If children will be in tow, pack a separate tote with a mesh bottom filled with sand toys, pails, and shovels. Shake it out when play is done to minimize sand in the car. 

• A picnic basket that has disposable plates, cups, napkins, and utensils makes beach eating easy. Just restock it when you get home and you’ll be ready to go. 

Having the family over for a barbecue?

• Keep all the grilling tools together. Consider using a bucket or a pail if yours did not come in a box. 

• Use a wire brush to clean the grill while it is still hot to get rid of burnt-on food. 

• Consider spraying the backyard for mosquitoes before guests arrive. You can contract with exterminators to keep your yard pest free all summer.  

• Keep forks, knives, and spoons in a pretty caddy that can sit right on the table. 

How does your garden grow?

A lush summer garden filled with fruits and vegetables is a true warm-weather joy and a thing of beauty. It can also be a well-organized haven!

• If you have a garden shed, make use of the walls and even the ceiling to hang tools. Hang your shovels and other long-handled tools on a rack. You can buy one at Home Depot or Lowes, or make one easily from an old pallet.

• Shelving is your friend! Both free-standing units and those affixed to the walls can make a big difference in how organized everything is. You might even consider repurposing old cabinets from a kitchen remodel to use in your shed.

• Use clear bins to organize seeds and smaller items.  

• Create a tool silhouette. Once you have hung all your tools on a pegboard, trace their outline so you know if an item is missing. When items are put back in their appropriate space, they are easier to find the next time you need them.

• Get a reel for your garden hose.

On the road again?

There’s nothing like exploring the country on a summer road trip. 

• Buy or make an organizer for the back of the seats. The roomy pockets can hold everything from toys, a first-aid kit, snacks, drinks, cards, writing implements, sunscreen, and more. 

• We know to pack lots of snacks; put them in individual-sized Ziploc bags for easy grabbing. 

• Pack plastic bags for wet or soiled items.

• Amazon sells devices that will allow you to charge multiple devices — phones, iPads, AirPods, etc. — with one car lighter or USB port. This can be a lifesaver!

Whether your time is spent on the road, or at home on a “staycation,” these tips for organizing are sure to take stress out of your summer days. No matter what you do, don’t forget the sunscreen!