EPISODE 12: WHEN IS IT TIME TO INTERVENE? MANAGING A MOVE & CAREGIVING
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When is “I’m fine” no longer fine for an aging parent or loved one? Judy and Jess sit down with aging life care manager Jennifer Szakaly and senior move manager Cindy Greer to talk frankly about when to step in, when to move, and what it really costs- emotionally and financially. They dig into caregiving crossroads, aging in place vs. assisted living, solo agers, Medicaid realities, family conflict, and downsizing a lifetime of “stuff.” If you’re caring for parents, aging solo, or finally asking “What’s my plan?,” this episode will nudge you out of denial and into action.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🩺 Care Assessments: Evaluating safety, health, and independence
💰 Financial Planning: Understanding care costs and available options
👨👩👧👦 Family Dynamics: Managing sibling disagreements and caregiving roles
❤️ Emotional Support: Helping families navigate difficult transitions
🏡 Aging in Place vs. Assisted Living: Weighing the pros and cons
⚠️ Abuse & Neglect: Identifying warning signs and protecting loved ones
📦 Downsizing Decisions: Sorting through a lifetime of possessions
🎯 Practical Tips: Lessons every family can use today
JENNIFER SZAKALY
Jennifer Szakaly (pronounced “sockeye,” like the salmon) is the founder and CEO of Caregiving Corner, a firm she launched in 2005 to help families navigate the often-upstream waters of aging, caregiving and long-term care with confidence and clarity. What began as a solo vision has grown into a respected 19-person (and growing) organization serving 300+ clients annually across the Charlotte, North Carolina, region.
A trained gerontologist, National Master Guardian and nationally certified care manager, Jennifer has built her career centered around compassion and advocacy for seniors and those who care for them. She understands that caregiving is rarely just logistical. It is emotional, financial, relational and deeply personal. That perspective has made her a trusted guide for families facing everything from sudden crises and long-distance caregiving challenges to long-term planning, family mediation and care coordination.
Jennifer’s leadership extends well beyond her own company. She serves on the National Board of the Aging Life Care Association and is a Fellow of its Leadership Academy, a distinction held by fewer than 50 care managers nationwide. In 2025, she joined the Board of Trustees for the Center for Guardianship Certification, reflecting her commitment to raising standards and strengthening protections for older adults nationwide.
She is also a sought-after speaker, trainer and media source, frequently educating employers, professionals and the public on the realities of caregiving in modern life, particularly for working adults balancing careers, children and aging parents. Through the Caregiving Corner Podcast, she shares practical insight, expert guidance and honest conversations designed to make families feel less alone and more prepared.
Jennifer can trace her career and her purpose back to high school, when she volunteered at her grandmother’s retirement community in Asheville, NC. The experience impacted her deeply. From there, she headed to Belmont Abbey College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology. She went on to University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she earned her master’s degree in gerontology.
At the core of Jennifer’s work is a simple belief: families deserve expert help, steady support and peace of mind when they need it most. For more than two decades, she has delivered exactly that.
LINKS:
Jennifer on LinkedIn
Schedule a Free Consult with Caregiving Corner
CINDY GREER
What Cindy loves about being a senior move manager and business owner is that she can engage different parts of herself to help adults 55+ make a smooth transition to a new home, relieving them of the stress, worry and physical strain of downsizing and moving.
HER ARTISTIC SIDE
Cindy studied interior design in college and loves helping her clients envision their new home environment. Together they create a custom floor plan so clients get to be in charge of exactly what goes where. Her favorite moment is “the big reveal” when they've moved their belongings and set them up in the new place. When the client first walks in the door, the smile on their face is her reward! They see all their things where they wanted them and they immediately feel at home.
HER COMPASSIONATE SIDE
Cindy helped her family downsize and move several times during their retirement. She knows how emotionally difficult it can be to let go of possessions, independence and familiarity. She also understands the need to meet time deadlines for moving, listing the house for sale, etc. Because a move often occurs after a medical event or the death of a spouse, having compassionate support paves the way for a better transition. Cindy brings the heart to relocation.
HER PROJECT MANAGER SIDE
Cindy also loves to bring organization to mayhem, and to coordinate a team of dedicated professionals (packers, movers, auctioneers, haulers, realtors, etc.) to deliver a seamless process for her clients and their families. They handle the details, solve problems creatively, and save their clients time, money and energy so they can quickly start exploring the new life that awaits them.
HER HIGH STANDARDS
Cindy decided to go for the A+ accreditation of the National Association of Senior Move Managers because of her commitment to quality work and ethical business practices. It reflects the personal integrity and pride she brings to her company.
LINKS:
Cindy on LinkedIn
Transition with Care Instagram
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