Merrill and Judy Skolnik were overwhelmed by the thought of moving until they enlisted the help of a moving coordinator.

The Skolniks began looking at continuing care retirement communities (CCRC), and after a lengthy search, they selected Roland Park Place in Baltimore, Md. The two native Baltimoreans have a long history in the area and were relieved to find a place in the city and close to their children.

After raising their four children, Judy launched a career as an advisor at Towson University. An electrical engineer, Merrill earned his degree from Johns Hopkins University and worked for nearly 40 years for the U.S. government. When he retired, he was the Superintendent of the Radar Division of the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., and a widely renowned author and expert in radar technology.

After living in the same home for decades, the Skolniks were overwhelmed by the thought of moving. Even after finding the right retirement community, they had no idea of where or how to start the transition.

The staff at Roland Park Place suggested that the Skolniks enlist the help of Senior Transitions, Inc., a moving coordinating company owned and operated by Charna Kinneberg, RN, MBA. Senior Transitions assists seniors and their families with every aspect of the moving process from planning and downsizing to packing and unpacking.

“We are not a one-size-fits-all company. Each client is unique,” Charna explained. “Our services are tailored to relieve the stress of moving, and our first goal is to determine the exact needs of the client.”

When Charna started helping the Skolniks, relocating began to seem manageable. “She just took the whole burden off; she was in charge,” recalled Judy. “Thank goodness for Charna.”

Instead of worrying about home maintenance or feeling isolated, the Skolniks now enjoy a wide range of activities with new friends and
neighbors.

Charna helped Judy and Merrill make key decisions about what to take with them and what to leave behind. “She’s very decisive,” Judy recalled of Charna. “She knows what should be done and just does it.” She also enlisted help to do the packing and unpacking, so the couple did not have to worry about the physical tasks of the move.

“They were just wonderful,” Judy said of Senior Transitions. “They pack you up, and they bring you here, and they unpack you. They even make up your bed, and you’re ready to begin your new life.”

In addition to being efficient and professional, Charna and her staff also formed a personal relationship with the Skolniks. It was almost a year after they moved that Judy recalled seeing some of Senior Transitions’ staff members in the lobby of Roland Park Place. “A new resident was moving in upstairs with Charna’s help. I recognized the movers, and, to my surprise, they greeted me by name. They remembered everything about us. I couldn’t believe it,” she said.

Since moving, the Skolniks have enjoyed a much-improved lifestyle. Merrill stopped driving and Judy only drives during the day, so the couple rarely ventured out in the evenings while living in their house. Now, they take the community bus to the opera, theater, concerts and dinners. “There’s something to do here all the time,” Judy said. “I try to take advantage of everything, and it’s been very stimulating.”

Finding a community close to home and the professionals to help them make the move has helped the Skolniks transition to their ideal retirement. From living an isolated life in their increasingly burdensome house to enjoying activities and events with new friends and neighbors, the Skolniks have certainly made a move in the right direction.

The death of a loved one is a painful, stressful time and dealing with personal effects, wills, finances and funeral preparations is only an added frustration. Many Americans wrongfully assume the preparation for death can wait until they are senior citizens or in a retirement home. The fact is, often times when people wait till this point in life they are simply not in the best state of mind to prepare this type of information.

Terry Ann Black from Lafayette, Calif. knows the story all too well. After the death of her father-in-law, a safe deposit box key was discovered amongst his belongings with no information on where the actual box was located. Terry and her husband searched everywhere for some type of information or records about the box. After days of endless searching, frustration and sadness, Terry and her husband lost hope.

Anecdotes like these demonstrate that it is never too early to begin preparing for death. The best time is now. There are several, important road marks in life that can be great reasons for preparing this type of information; marriage, purchasing of real estate or the birth of children. Any time there is a significant change in life or finances, it is imperative the information and wishes be documented in a safe, secure place.

Many people underestimate the amount of information needed. Gathering all the crucial details can be timely and overwhelming. Important questions that might be overlooked in a will are:
-Where is your will kept?
-Do you have a guardian for your minor children
-Who is it and what is their phone number and address?
-Do you have any hidden assets?
-Do you own real estate other than your home? Where is it located?
-In the event of your death, who would you like notified?

Bringing up the subject of death preparation is both awkward and uncomfortable for everyone involved. This holiday season could be the perfect time to discuss details with your family and prepare and distribute the information. Compile it for your loved ones providing your survivors with a complete list of last wishes and personal records. Peace of mind during a difficult time can be the last and best gift they ever receive.

Caring Is Not Enough is a guidebook offering a simple and efficient way to prepare crucial, personal information before the end of life. The book contains more than 100 crucial questions and is an easy way to address the awkward subject with family members, friends and loved ones. The book is in question/answer format and takes approximately 1-4 hours to complete. Copies of Caring Is Not Enough can be ordered online at www.caringisnotenough.net