Whether downsizing to a smaller space or prepping a house for the retail market, the process can be daunting.
There are tough decisions to make, like what to keep and what to get rid of, and how to reorganize things in the new space.
For seniors especially, the transition from a large home to a small condo or assisted living facility can seem insurmountable, and when family members can’t help because they live out of town, it is even harder.
Amy Findley and Tami Herman recently launched Caring Transitions, a company dedicated to helping families of all sizes and individuals of all ages with relocation, decluttering, downsizing, and estate sale services.
“We want to help with the entire transition process,” Ms. Findley said. “Ours is very much a concierge service where we can do whatever part of it is needed.”
With a staff of 14, the women provide end-to-end transitional services such as arranging and preparing for the arrival of movers, organizing the sale of unwanted items, and making sure other items are properly disposed of or donated to a charity of choice. Once items are moved to the new space, unpacking services are offered as well as setting up the new space all the way down to ensuring the new bed is made, silverware is in the drawer, and pictures are hung on the walls.
“We don’t want the person moving to worry about a thing,” Ms. Herman said. “It’s very hard to let go of things that have been part of your life for a long time and we try to recreate a space that was in their lifetime home in their new space.”
Decluttering services are also offered for healthy seniors who want to stay at home, but need assistance creating a clean, safe, and functional environment. The women also assist families who have lost a loved one, by organizing an estate sale or online auction and getting the house ready to sell.
Jennifer Disbennett of Toledo hired the Caring Transitions team when her father passed away in October. After going through his personal items, Ms. Disbennett and her sisters Julie Vincent and Nicki Goodrich needed help sorting through the mountain of items left at the condo, while also getting it ready to sell.
“They were fantastic, they took care of everything from top to bottom,” Ms. Disbennett said. “When we walked in after they were done, everything was perfect and we were able to list it with a realtor right away.”
Ms. Findley and Ms. Herman are sisters who grew up in the Toledo area and were searching for a business that would allow them to serve the community in a heartfelt way. Prior to launching the business, Ms. Findley had done work for the American Red Cross and Ms. Herman had worked for ProMedica. They credit their parents, Jane and Charles Leatherman, for inspiring them to open the Caring Transitions Toledo office, which is one of 200 franchise locations in the United States.
“We believe that we were built for this,” Ms. Herman said. “It’s hard work, but it’s such a privilege to be in this space and it is not lost on us as we handle people’s things and help them transition, and that is deeply personal. At the end of the day, we are about serving people.”
Free estimates are available. For information, call Caring Transitions at (419) 574-9512 or visit caringtransitions.com.
To view on online auction site of estate sale items, visit https://ctbids.com/home
First Published January 1, 2022, 7:26 p.m.
