Senior Living Transitions
With David Haack
We’ve known David Haack for years, not only as a trusted expert in the world of senior living, but as a kind and thoughtful friend. Through his company Next Step Transitions, David and his team help families navigate one of life’s biggest transitions with compassion, organization, and decades of experience.
We sat down with David to learn more about how his team supports aging adults and their loved ones across the Pacific Northwest (and sometimes beyond!).
What services does your business Next Step Transitionsoffer? How does it all work?
David: Next Step has two experiences that a customer can depend on:
The first is as Family Advisors-we are able to help people who are in the decision-making process of where to move or where to place a loved one when they are seeking a modern aging or senior living location. We have a team of four Family Advisors who are skilled professionals in the senior living space, and they are available to people free of charge to help them identify needs, address concerns, and find the perfect space at the best pricing for what they are looking for across King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties.
The second is Move Management, where we are able to get our clients organized, rightsized, ready to move, packed, spaceplanned, unpacked, and have their new home fully set up on the first day of themove-from their current home to their new next step. Of course, out-of-state services are available as well, but they do require more timing, and setup and unpacking would not happen the same day.
This experience allows people to detangle from the stress and mania that can ensue-especially when, for instance, an individual is moving from a 2,000-squarefoot home into a 300-square-foot apartment or condo. This is a paid service, but a free estimate is provided for consideration prior to any contracting. Typically, this process should begin 3-4 months before the move date.
What inspired you to start this business?
David: Over the past 40 years of my career, I’ve helped thousands of people make decisions across the care continuum. It has always been my life’s work to help others find the kinds of resources and spaces I would want for the people I love most.
There’s a lot of hype and confusion surrounding senior living options and what to expect. I want people to know that my team is here to be a calming presence-someone you can trust, laugh with, and feel connected to during life’s next steps.
How do you stay up to date on the different senior living options in your area?
David: I’ve known most of the operators in any given location for decades and have been an ardent speaker across Washington State on topics of Modern Aging, care practices, and the importance of culturally competent care solutions for LGBTQ seniors and their loved ones. I dare say, I’ve been around a long time-and I’ve been fortunate to preserve both my integrity and my commitment to quality in care provisions and services, especially when working alongside the allied companies and options we guide people toward.
What’s the most common misconception people have about moving into senior living?
David: Many people feel like they’re giving up their independence-when in reality, taking control and making a plan means you’re the one guiding the conversation, rather than waiting for the conversation to guide you. I can say with complete confidence: none of us gets out of this world alive. In the third act of life it’s wise to know what your options are.
What’s the hardest part of the process for families or seniors?
David: Everyone wants to stay in their home, and some people are, in fact, able to. But as healthcare challenges arise, it may no longer be possible. Rightsizing and being prepared to make decisions is truly the most powerful tool we have against sudden changes in our health or the integrity of our homes.
For those determined to stay at home, it’s important to understand the financial reality: 24/7 home care with a caregiver can easily exceed $35,000 a month, and with a nurse, well over $50,000 a month. This is where people need to be realistic about what will preserve their assets and extend their legacy-if that’s their goal. Stay in control, I always say.
It’s also extremely important that one clear decision-maker leads the process. Too often, well-intentioned family members can unintentionally make things more complicated. That’s where a Family Advisor and Move Manager come in-they help corral differing opinions and create a pathway everyone can follow. Sometimes we’re simply too close to our own families to be the best helpand that’s okay.
What do you wish more people understood about elder care?
David: Making a move can actually be a freeing and wonderful experience. Most people dread it because they imagine having to rely entirely on family and loved ones for help-but with resources like Next Step, so much of the process can feel like magic, and even effortless.
Modern Aging communities can be vibrant, fun, and the perfect fit for each individual. What matters most is working with someone who can guide you through it. If you’re trying to do this on your own and feeling frustrated or overwhelmed-we’ve got solutions for you.
What do you think the future of senior living looks like?
David: Everyone is jumping into the Grey Wave-even major brands like Disney are entering the space with communities like Storybook Living, a 55+ senior living concept. I believe more and more people will be seeking out places that truly celebrate living, not ones that make them feel like they’re being warehoused in a box.
We each have the power to shape what our aging or care journey will look likebut we have to be informed and aware of our options, whether we’re 29 or 89.
What’s the most rewarding part of your work?
David: When I help a family or individual who starts out feeling overwhelmedwondering “How will I ever make this move?”-and we arrive at “I love my new home, and I love how organized and fresh everything feels,” or when I’ve become part of their surrogate family, that’s when I know I’ve done my job well.
Knowing I’ve set my clients up for success and lifted the weight of stress that would have otherwise fallen on their loved ones -it truly makes me smile and feel proud of the work I do.
What are some common mistakes families make during this process-and how can they avoid them?
David: When a family is involved, they need to elect a champion-someone who will take the lead and make the final decisions. The time to start planning is not three weeks before a move. It should begin now. And if the family is struggling to get on the same page, that’s exactly when it makes sense to bring in outside help.
Families often say they’ll help get a home ready to sell or assist with clearing it outbut depending on the density of the home, that may not be realistic. Another common surprise for families is the cost of services. Many people haven’t moved in 70, 20, even 40+ years, and the cost of goods and services-especially in our bea utifu I pa rt of the country-has skyrocketed in recent years.
Having realistic expectations about today’s pricing is key to being prepared for the estimates and expenses involved in modern aging and senior living transitions.
When is the best time to start planning for senior living?
David: Now. Don’t wait until something happens-because something always does. In fact, 80% of seniors and their families don’t have a plan in place or assume they’ll simply stay in their homes. But life rarely works out that way. You can either wait for the dialogue to control you, or you can maintain your independence by taking control yourself.
We all need to remember: aging is a privilege, not a right. Fewer people make it to 80 years or older than you might think. And just because you’re younger doesn’t mean you won’t someday find yourself needing care. Be informed. Know your options.
We’re Ready to Help With Your Next Chapter
We’ve worked hand-in-hand with David many times to help our clients who are ready to downsize and move onto their next chapter. David has a very similar approach as we do when it comes to supporting our clients; we all offer a high level of service and are very hands on. David takes the confusion and stress out of making that next transition!
If you or a loved one needs help downsizing their home, we’re always happy to help you make a plan. Reach out!
Downsizing is no small feat. In the Seattle area, it’s very common for older adults to move into homes that are 700 to 900 square feet, says Mindy Garner, a real estate agent and the founder of ElderMove Alliance, a group of businesses aligned in their goal of helping older adults achieve their goals.
Many people are moving out of houses that are anywhere from two to 10 times larger than their new homes. That means a lot of editing. You’re likely only going to be able to fit a fraction of your furniture and possessions into the new space, and it can be very difficult for many people to decide what to bring and what to leave behind.
“There is so much emotional attachment to things,” says Maggie Wong, a real estate agent and principal at ElderMove Alliance.
“This belonged to my great aunt Florence. So, now I have to ask, do my kids want it? No, they don’t want it. So, you take each little item, and you try to individually give it away to all these people,” Wong says. “Well, multiply that by thousands of things. It’s just overwhelming.”
Luckily, there are numerous services that specialize in helping people of all ages with every part of the moving process. A move manager can look at the floor plan of your new home, take measurements and help you figure out what’s going to fit and how to best arrange it. Then, they facilitate the process of donating and selling everything you’re not taking with you. With professional help, downsizing — or as David Haack, owner of move management company Next Step Transitions, prefers to call it, “right-sizing” — can be a positive experience. His company is part of ElderMove Alliance. Garner and her husband Mike Garner founded the group in 2002 after realizing how many people could use help with moving and aging in general.
The group hosts free in-person seminars: five in the spring and two in the fall. Each seminar discusses how to downsize as well as how to stay in your home comfortably for longer. They also include general information for older adults and bring in experts such as an elder law attorney, a financial planner and a Medicare specialist. The hope is that by the end of the seminar, attendees can start to put together a plan.
“We remind them that it’s easier to do this while you can because at some point, you maybe can’t, and then other people have to start making decisions for you,” says Garner.
Generally, there is an order of operations that makes downsizing easier, she says. First, find a place to move. Then, transport only the items you’ve decided to keep. After that, empty out your former house and get it ready to sell.
Next Step Transitions, which serves people in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, takes a highly personal approach. To begin, they speak with clients about which items they most want to keep, then take measurements at the new property. Those measurements are then used to create a floor plan. Sometimes, a large bed or piece of furniture just won’t fit, so they work with the client to figure out alternative solutions. “Math doesn’t lie,” says Haack. Once they’ve determined what the client can take with them, the company helps clients decide what to donate, give to family or sell through consignment or auction. That might mean winnowing down an excessive mug collection.
“We really try to have fun,” says Haack. “I think the most important thing that we bring to the table on those steps is to weave humor into everything that we do so that people can feel a little less stressed in the process. Instead of being at a level 10 stress level, which most moves push people to, can we get that down to a four or five?”
When downsizing collections, Garner advises picking two or three items to keep and taking photos of the rest. Granted, photos can pile up as well, but they can be digitized. Garner is also adamantly opposed to paying for storage units.
“Don’t think you’re going to get around to it later,” she warns. “The cost of storage adds up so quickly to way more than the value of the stuff that’s inside.”
Sometimes, relatives can hold up the decluttering process by requesting that items be held for them. That’s why it’s imperative to set boundaries, says Garner. “The kids need a deadline to get their stuff out, and if they don’t get it by that date, then it’s gone. It’s going to go to Goodwill,” she says.
“People have all sorts of collections, and when a loved one passes away, how do you best clear and find purpose for a room filled with dolls and treasures?” Haack says. His company helps clients decide what to keep, donate or sell through consignment or auction. (Courtesy of David Haack / Next Step Transitions). Caption: “People have all sorts of collections, and when a loved one passes away, how do you best clear and find purpose for a room filled with dolls and treasures?” Haack says. His company helps clients decide what to keep, donate or sell through consignment or auction. (Courtesy of David Haack
“People have all sorts of collections, and when a loved one passes away, how do you best clear and find purpose for a room filled with dolls and treasures?” Haack says. His company…
Don’t be surprised if the task takes longer than you anticipated.
“It takes years to accumulate all that you have — you aren’t going to get rid of it in a day,” says Katie Hennings Larson, owner of Moves Made Simple, which serves the Greater Seattle Area. “The work to downsize takes patience and empathy.”
She advises setting a timer for one hour to tackle the task with no interruptions. Try to focus on one area at a time, and don’t begin a new area until you have completed the first. After that, take a break. And if you can, enlist a professional or friend to help.
Once all the decisions have been made, a move management company will spend a few days packing before managing the travel period.
“Our goal is always that by 6 or 7 p.m. on move day, we’re out of there,” says Haack. “Their beds are made, their fridge is stocked. They walk into their home, all their artwork is hung and the move is completed.”
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Costs for move management vary depending on the size of the space and scope of the job. Haack says that, as an example, if someone needs help moving from a 2,000-square foot home into one that’s 675 square feet, it might cost around $5,500. However, many factors could influence the final price, including the number of possessions that will need to be sorted and handled.
Even if you’re not sure when you’ll move, it’s a good idea to look into options well in advance.
“The time to bring in a right-sizing move management company is a year before you’re ready to make a move,” says Haack. “Get an idea of the items that you no longer use. If you have items that you want to have shipped to family members all over the country or even internationally, let’s get all of those things done so that you are pretty light and rea