Over the years, the Wyatt-Browns traveled a great deal teaching at different institutions. After beginning their careers at Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colo., they later went to University of Colorado in Boulder and spent 17 years at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Oh. They eventually transferred to the University of Florida, where they taught for 21 years. In addition, the couple also spent part of their careers in Princeton, University of Wisconsin, University of Richmond and William & Mary. Anne and Bertram also had a daughter, who now lives in St. Paul, Minn., along with two grandchildren.

Despite their many moves, it was never a question for the couple as to where they would spend their future. They left Florida to return home to Baltimore, where they had their sights set on eventually moving to Roland Park Place based on its convenient location and the positive experiences of Anne’s parents there.

Although Anne was initially hesitant about the physical aspects of the move, health issues and the difficulty of navigating and maintaining their three-level house had prompted the couple to seriously think about the transition to maintain their busy lifestyle.

“Baltimore is home for me; my family is here,” said Anne. “The reason we ended up at Roland Park Place is my parents lived here and I had no intention of going to the county. As far as I was concerned it was the city or forget it, and it had to be the neighborhood.”

Having several friends and relatives needing care in a variety of elder care settings over the years had made the couple see the value of a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). They appreciated the fact that they would be able to remain connected to their friends on the campus even if their health needs were to change.

Anne also liked the improvements she had seen at Roland Park Place since her parents were living there. Among those big differences was a list of resources compiled by the staff to help ease the transition and a complimentary floor plan design consultation for future residents.

To further ensure a stress-free move, Anne and Bertram decided to hire a firm that could provide senior move management services. They selected Senior Transitions, Inc., an organization owned and operated by Charna Kinneberg. Senior Transitions, Inc. is a well established company. Charna is one of the founding members of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM).

With so many decisions to make about what to take, the couple really appreciated a software program that Senior Transitions, Inc. used that mapped out their new floor plan with their existing furniture and possessions. According to Charna, the program allows clients to immediately see their plans and what will or will not work in their new space.

“You could really see what it was going to look like,” said Anne.

Charna then provided her guidance to assist the couple in sorting through their belongings and getting rid of or donating different pieces of furniture.

“I coach my clients to focus on what we want to keep, not what they are getting rid of. It really helps with the decision making process,” she said.

Understanding just how important their tremendous book collection and academic libraries were to the Wyatt-Browns, Charna made certain to identify appropriate space for as many bookcases as possible. The couple was pleasantly surprised at how many bookcases could actually fit. Also realizing that Anne and Bertram needed space for their own computers, she incorporated a desk for each of them in the design.

“My goal is to keep as many of the most treasured items as possible while maintaining a safe environment,” said Charna.

Although Anne is often questioned how she could give up so many pieces of furniture, she said, “A lot of our furniture was handed down to us, and to be able to give it to people who want it and who will someday give it to somebody else I think is wonderful.”

For the official moving day, Senior Transitions, Inc. brought in a crew to manage and facilitate the move. “They were very efficient and fun to be around,” said Bertram. “They made it a pleasure . . . they were just great.”

Anne continued, “They had terrific ideas for pictures, and once they put the pictures up, it made it ours and just transformed the place. They are really gifted in figuring out where to put things and I am in awe of their skill.”

With the move behind them, the Wyatt-Browns are eager to get involved with programs at their new home as they continue the activities they are most passionate about.

One of these lifelong pursuits for the couple is writing. While Anne is an author as well as the co-editor of a gerontological-style journal, Bertram has written twelve books and is a visiting scholar at Johns Hopkins. “I go to seminars sometimes and get revved up about that,” he said.

Music is another passion they have shared. Anne, who started in the Glee Club at Bryn Mawr when she was 14, had dreamed of attending Radcliffe College and joining its Chorale Society after hearing them in concert. Not only did she accomplish this goal, but she also became the group’s manager and has since continued to sing in different chorales and churches.

“Everywhere we have gone, I have sung in a group,” she said. “We had 10 moves, and every time, we would join a church and join the choir.” That carries through today as the couple sings in the choir at the Cathedral of the Incarnation which is right down the street from their home.

Most importantly, Anne and Bertram have enjoyed getting to know the individuals at the community. They have been very impressed with how outgoing the staff and residents are and are pleased that there are other “academics” living at Roland Park Place.

“The facilities are great and we plan to make good use of them, but it’s the kindness of people that really makes a difference,” said Anne.

As they meet new individuals, however, they will never forget the people who played a pivotal role in helping them get settled into their new home. No matter their daily pursuits, the Wyatt-Browns know they have beautiful and comfortable surroundings to return to thanks to Senior Transitions, Inc.

“They were terrific, we have nothing but praise for Charna and her group,” said Bertram.

Long before this move, however, the Resslers’ story begins when they met at a dance, which, according to Mrs. Ressler, has often led to the debate of who saw who first. Though no matter whom it was, the couple is happy to say they have celebrated 48 years of marriage. During this time, Mr. Ressler had worked for Amoco American Oil Company while Mrs. Ressler was a homemaker and bookkeeper who worked part time at the Catonsville Community College bookstore for several years.

It was Aug. 28, 2008 that the Resslers received the call for which they had been waiting. An apartment matching their request had become available. Though the couple sold their home in a matter of three weeks, they knew the actual moving process would not be so easy.

Mrs. Ressler said she and her husband knew they did not want to tackle this move on their own and at the time were given a list of vendors by the Charlestown sales staff. Instead of getting overwhelmed and bogged down with the details, they contacted Charna Kinneberg, owner of the company Senior Transitions, Inc. which provides move coordination services.

As a result, they had downsized, disposed of unnecessary items, had everything packed up, and were moved into their new place by October 10, less than two months after initially learning the apartment was available.

“We didn’t have to go through a book to try to find people to take away trash, donate things to, or even move our things since Charna and her staff took care of everything,” says Mrs. Ressler. “Everyone was wonderful including the other vendors they recommended. They showed up on time and if they were going to be late at all, they called. There was no waiting around wondering.”

Mr. Ressler adds that on the actual moving day, the vendors were taking care of unpacking all of the items and followed the couple’s wishes placing everything accordingly. “We walked into the bedroom and there they were making our bed – it was just like a hotel where everything we needed was in place and ready for us!” he says.

In other moves they made over the years, according to Mrs. Ressler, they had still had to contend with the packing supplies after everything was done. That was certainly not the case this time, however, thanks to their moving coordinator. The trash was removed with boxes taken away, thus the Resslers were free to quickly start their lives at Charlestown.

The Resslers’ story is certainly not uncommon; however, theirs teaches others of the available resources that can be utilized when taking on this difficult task. Charna says the move coordinators take one of the major barriers of moving away. “We often hear ‘I don’t want to be a burden to my children,’ or ‘I don’t have time to help my parents,’” she says.

With a qualified, experienced move coordinator, these and other issues associated with a move are handled. According to Charna, the ultimate goal is to remove that stress from the experience, though the source differs from client to client. One may just need someone to help them figure out what will fit into the new unit while another client may want help disposing of things they do not need. Someone else will just want help packing or unpacking as others want to go on vacation and come back after the move is done.

No matter the scenario, this move manager is there to help. “We’ve done it all,” she says.

Senior Transitions, Inc., however, is not limited to coordinating local moves. Charna is President Elect and one of the founding members of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM), an organization of move managers located throughout the U.S. and Canada. The industry has grown significantly in the past six years from the initial 16 member companies in 2002 to now over 500 companies.

“When a client is moving to or from another location, we can easily find a member company to help on the other end,” says Charna. “Because of my longstanding involvement with the organization, I often personally know the other company.”

Also as a result of her commitment to the association, some of the communities she regularly works with even call her rather than just selecting from the NASMM web site.

Meanwhile, with what turned out to be a very stress-free move behind them, the Resslers have enjoyed life in their new home. As Resident Ambassadors at Charlestown, they talk to prospective residents, showing them the community and discussing the advantages of living at Charlestown. Mrs. Ressler is also in the process of starting a new dining companions program at the community with her friend.

Of course, they often discuss their experience with Senior Transitions, Inc. and would recommend seeking the assistance of a move manager to anyone in a similar situation.

“There is no way we could have made the move without them,” says Mrs. Ressler. “It’s the single biggest reason most people give for not making the move. With Charna and her staff’s help, that issue is gone.”

Beyond his work, Mr. Bridge has always been interested in historic preservation and has dedicated his time and expertise to several organizations. He worked with the Maryland National Road Association on the Historic National Road and on various other projects. His preservation work has provided an interesting contrast to his career. “It has been a way for me to make a contribution to the community; it also helps that I find the work incredibly rewarding,” notes Mr. Bridge.

When Mr. Bridge’s long-time companion, Sally, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the couple realized that they needed a plan for the future. They began looking at retirement communities. After narrowing the field down to two or three potential communities, Mr. Bridge seriously investigated their amenities and care options. He ultimately chose Fairhaven, a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Sykesville, MD, because of its “creature comforts,” including a fitness center and a library, and “excellent medical facilities.”

Choosing the right community was only the first step, Mr. Bridge quickly realized. During an orientation at Fairhaven, panelists discussed the challenges of moving and downsizing. Charna Kinneberg, the owner of Senior Transitions, Inc., gave a presentation about the moving coordination assistance offered by her company. “We chatted over lunch after her talk, and we really hit it off. I knew I wanted to use her services to help with our move,” Mr. Bridge remembers.

The move started with a promise: “Charna assured me that we wouldn’t have to do anything-that they would take care of everything, and she was right” says Mr. Bridge. Initially, Charna and her staff offered advice on what to take to their new home. Mr. Bridge admits, “Deciding what to take and how to set up our new house was difficult because we have lots of books and collectibles, and we really wanted to keep most of them.”

With the help of Senior Transitions, the couple was able to move all their treasured possessions. Most importantly, their new home was almost completely set up on their very first day. “Not having to worry about the move allowed me to focus on taking care of Sally and helping her through the transition. That really meant a lot to me,” says Mr. Bridge. With the move complete, Mr. Bridge is busy exploring his new community.

They had been living in their family home in Ellicott City for 15 years when their children began to encourage them to make the move to a retirement community. After a brief search, the Millers chose Charlestown, an Erickson Retirement Community in Catonsville, MD. The staff at Charlestown gave Mr. and Mrs. Miller information about moving companies and moving coordinators to help them make the transition.

The couple called Senior Transitions, Inc. for help with the move and was pleasantly surprised by the comprehensive services they offered. “I am so grateful that we called them; I tell everyone about Senior Transitions,” says Mrs. Miller. She continues, “We really could not have done it alone, and they were just so great. The staff was very hardworking and pleasant, and they certainly did not waste one minute.”

The moving coordinators packed all of the Millers belongings and even helped them get settled into their new apartment. With all the stress of the move relieved, the Millers found themselves “joking and laughing and having a great time, all while our house was being packed up.”

Walking into an apartment that was completely set up made their transition nearly seamless. “The cabinets were full, and the bed was made; there were even towels in the bathroom. They made sure we had everything we needed to be comfortable on the very first night,” remembers Mrs. Miller.

After just six weeks at Charlestown, the Millers feel like they settled into their new home “a long time ago.” Mrs. Miller sums up their experience, saying, “Knowing what I know now, I think it would be absolutely ridiculous to attempt to do all the work involved in moving on your own, especially when there is such wonderful help available.”

Not having to worry about going through boxes gave the Millers more time to make new friends at the community. They are now enjoying dinners with their fellow residents and are still deciding what new activities they would like to pursue.

Ms. Goldman was looking for someone she could trust and could turn to for all her moving needs. A consultation with a social worker from Jewish Family Services led her to Senior Transitions, Inc. and Charna F. Kinneberg. Shirley was relieved: “She came in and helped me decide what I needed to get rid of, what I needed to keep, disposed of unwanted property with charities, and packed and moved all of my stuff.”

As Shirley’s personal moving coordinator, Ms. Kinneberg packed all of her belongings and arranged for all the needed contractors, from movers to painters and cleaning crews, who helped prepare the house for sale. She was with Ms. Goldman the entire time, monitoring the work she was paying for: “Charna would not let me pay the contractors one penny until she was satisfied with the work they had performed; she was so trustworthy, reliable, and thorough.” More than just a moving coordinator, Charna really served as Ms. Goldman’s advocate during a difficult time. Ms. Goldman is happy to admit how integral this help was during her move: “I couldn’t have done it without her expertise; she took over; I did nothing!” Now settled in an assisted living facility surrounded by her most treasured possessions, Shirley Goldman has made a smooth transition to a new phase of her life.