Anyone who has ever moved, regardless of age, knows how stressful it can be. But it’s particularly challenging for older adults and their families when it’s time to pack up a home filled with a lifetime of possessions and memories. Just the thought of moving and starting all over somewhere else can be overwhelming.

As Realtors for 6 years, Dan and Julie Ihara have helped many clients sell their homes and downsize their lives. In the process, they have developed effective and efficient ways to address the challenges of transitioning. Their first-hand experience with assisting clients move to a new setting prompted the Ihara couple to open a new company called Senior Move Managers. They, along with their niece Cynthia Arnold, serve as caring and compassionate consultants for seniors and their families.

Whether it’s a move to a condo, family home, retirement community or care home, there are systems and services that can help. The Ihara’s experience as full-service Realtors has enabled them to develop strong relationships with trustworthy vendors needed to make a stress-free transition. Their compassionate approach helps Hawai‘i’s seniors transition with dignity and peace of mind.

“We are a one-stop shop that helps seniors make a stress-free move from their old house to their new home,” Dan says. “We understand that everyone’s situation is unique. Consequently, we create a customized plan that addresses each client’s specific needs.”

Surveys show that most seniors would rather remain in their homes, and to many of them moving represents a loss of control. “While these moves usually are precipitated by something that’s happened—a health crisis, a death of a spouse or a loss of driving ability—some empty nesters and seniors choose to downsize to a condo or retirement community to improve their quality of life,” Dan says.

Lynn Goya, M.Ed., Psy.D. knows all so well the stress of a parent that transitions. “My mother felt overwhelmed by the task of cleaning out the stuff she had accumulated in the 53 years she lived in the house. Dan and Julie said they would take care of it! Their excellent wrap-around services, consistent communication and commitment to us, not just as clients but as people, is unprecedented in my experience. I recommend them without reservation. They go the extra mile with integrity and a personal touch.”

More than 50,000 families will hire a certified senior move manager this year, up from 30,000 just two years ago, according to the National Association of Senior Move Managers. Senior Move Managers is a fee-based service that families find indispensable, and not just because they handle the logistics. Tensions can spill over when an elderly parent must relocate. Hundreds of necessary decisions and actions can swallow time that the family may not have; the inevitable negotiations and concessions can trouble even the best parent-child relationships. There’s now a Hawai‘i company with local roots designed specifically to help seniors transition and downsize their lives while minimizing the stress of moving. If you’d like a free no-obligation consultation or just to chat about your situation, please call Senior Move Managers at 221-8345 or visit their website at www.smmhawaii.com for more information.