Moving Aging Parents: A Deeper Look Inside Marty Stevens-Heebner’s Must-Have Guide

If you read our last post, you know that How to Move Your Parents (and Still Be on Speaking Terms) isn’t just another moving book — it’s a lifeline for families tackling one of the most emotional and overwhelming challenges. Today, we’re giving you a peek behind the pages: what’s inside, how it’s organized, and a sneak preview of the sanity-saving checklists you can get FREE when you subscribe!

What You’ll Find in This Book

Marty Stevens-Heebner has poured decades of wisdom, real-life lessons, and her warmth and humor into this guide. Inside you’ll discover:

• Answers to questions families always ask — and the ones they don’t know to ask but ought to.

• Thorough checklists and worksheets to keep you on track (and sane).

• Tried-and-true tips for tackling everything from hiring help to handling heirlooms.

• Clear steps that break the move into a beginning, middle, and end — so you don’t get lost in the chaos.

• Gentle guidance for managing the emotions and family dynamics that can feel heavier than the packed boxes.

Above all, this book is like a trusted ally by your side reminding you: you’ve got this — and we’re cheering you on every step of the way.

The Good, The Bad, and The Bittersweet: What This Guide Covers

Moving aging parents isn’t just about packing boxes. It’s about honoring memories, balancing family opinions, and making tough choices with grace. Marty divides this journey into three clear Acts, each one guiding you through the practical steps and the hidden heartwork you didn’t even know you’d face.

The Journey: What Marty’s Book Will Walk You Through

How to Move Your Parents (and Still Be on Speaking Terms) isn’t a cold how-to manual — it’s a real-life roadmap for a journey that’s emotional, exhausting, often messy, and sometimes even unexpectedly beautiful. 

Early on, you’ll learn what Marty calls the arc of a move: understanding where you are right now, what’s coming next, and how to plan for the inevitable twists and turns. In Act One, she breaks down how to build a plan that’s realistic for your family, how to spot which friends and relatives can truly help (and which ones may promise to but never show up), and how to hire trustworthy professionals. Just as important, she talks about how to keep your own mind and emotions steady as you step into the whirlwind ahead.

With that groundwork laid, Act Two is where you roll up your sleeves and dig in. Marty shows you exactly where to begin when every closet and drawer feels overwhelming. She shares her C.L.E.A.N.S.E. Concept™ — her signature, step-by-step approach to sorting and letting go — and walks you through handling the items that can stir up the deepest emotions: photos, vital documents, and surprise treasures hidden in unexpected corners. She even arms you with practical packing and labeling wisdom that’ll make move day smoother.

Ah, the end is near… Or, so we think. Act Three is where everything comes together and, yes, feelings run highest. Marty’s advice for Move Day (or, as she candidly calls it, Holy Crap Day) prepares you for the inevitable last-minute hiccups and emotional farewells. She stays by your side through unpacking, deciding what to sell or donate, and finding closure in an emptied home that once overflowed with a lifetime of memories. By the time you turn the final page, you’ll have an ally and feel more at peace.

We’re With You Every Step of the Way

We know this journey isn’t easy — but you don’t have to face it alone. Marty’s book is your roadmap, our team is your support crew, and together we’ll help you navigate this move with compassion and calm.

Follow AgeWise Alliance and Clear Home Solutions on social media for behind-the-scenes book updates, expert advice, and encouragement you can count on.

Chapter-by-Chapter Table of Contents

Below is the complete breakdown so you can see how Marty guides you through the whole journey:

Chapter

Introduction

ACT ONE

Awareness and the Arc of Moving

Create a Plan

Who Can (and Really Will) Help You for Free

Hiring Help & How to Do It

Mental Maintenance: How to Keep Your Head from Exploding

Tackling the Acreage of Memories

Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility

ACT TWO

Time to Dig In — But Where?

The C.L.E.A.N.S.E. Concept™

The Obstacle of Memory

Undiscovered Treasures in Unexpected Places

Photographs

Vital Documents and How to Find Them

How to Pack and Label Like a Pro

Beware the Days Before Move Day

ACT THREE

Move Day (Holy Crap Day)

Unpacking... and the Day After

Selling Your Possessions: Tame Those Expectations

Donations = Giving Gifts to Strangers in Need

Before You Take a Bow

Afterword: The Emptied Home

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Marty Stevens-Heebner, President of NASMM and founder of AgeWise Alliance, brings over 12 years of experience supporting older adults and their families through life's toughest transitions. She recently released her compassionate, game-changing guide, How to Move Your Parents (and Still Be on Speaking Terms)—a must-have resource packed with real-life stories and expert wisdom. As a certified senior services professional, Marty combines personal insight with in-depth industry knowledge to help families navigate the challenges of downsizing, relocation, and aging with clarity and care. 

Through AgeWise Alliance, she connects families to experienced and trusted professionals who truly understand the emotional and logistical complexities of later-life moves. Marty and her team continue to advocate for seniors throughout Southern California—ensuring they have access to the respectful, skilled support they deserve.

About AgeWise Alliance

AgeWise Alliance provides the answers and professionals that older adults and their families need to navigate the challenges of later life. From finding trusted professionals in legal, caregiving, and financial planning to offering practical resources and expert advice on senior living communities and insurance, we make the later life shift easier for everyone.

Visit AgeWiseAlliance.com or follow us on Instagram at @agewisealliance to learn more about how we can support you and your loved ones.