Is it really September? Wasn’t it just Memorial Day and we were all so excited for the summer to begin? Well thankfully all of us had a spectacular summer and can’t wait for the fall to commence…But all joking aside, September isn’t so bad. It has cool nights so our hair won’t frizz. We get craft ciders and pumpkin treats, and the trees start to turn red, yellow and orange 🙂
This is because September is a time of transition and new beginnings, making it a perfect month to check in with our aging loved ones and ask, “How can I help?” Helping an aging loved one doesn’t mean making decisions for them. It means helping them make informed decisions for themselves while respecting their independence and wishes.
Here at TASS, we have a wealth of knowledge in all areas of helping our aging loved ones and would LOVE to share it with you!!
Please take a look at our website www.tassgroup.org to see if any of our TASS skilled professionals could have the answers you are looking for!
But without further ado, for our September 2026 newsletter, TASS is proud to share three, yes three member/businesses of the month, Kat Yannalfo from Sir Junk, Carrie Johnson from Smooth Transitions and Ed Whitehouse from Ridgewood Moving Services!!
Meet the Team Behind a Seamless Senior Move
Every family that has helped a parent downsize knows the feeling: you open the closet, or the basement, or forty years of the attic, and you don’t know where to start. The good news is you don’t have to figure it out alone. Three TASS member businesses, each covering a different part of the move, work together often enough that we thought it was worth explaining who does what, and in what order.
First, the plan. Before a single box gets packed, Smooth Transitions of Bergen County steps in to help the family make sense of the space. Owner Carrie Johnson, a certified Senior Move Manager (SMM-C) and NASMM member since 2015, calls the philosophy “rightsize, not downsize.” Her team sorts room by room, deciding what comes to the new home, what goes to family, and what goes elsewhere, before anyone touches a moving truck. It starts with a free consultation, and the work is billed hourly with no hidden fees.
Then, the move itself. Once the sorting is done, Ridgewood Moving Services handles the physical relocation. As a Bekins Silver Certified Senior Move Manager, their crews are trained specifically to work with older adults and their families, and they coordinate closely with the Senior Move Managers doing the planning. They also keep a donation resource list on hand, so items the family isn’t taking don’t just disappear, they go somewhere useful.
Last, what’s left behind. After the boxes are packed and the truck pulls away, there’s almost always a layer left over: furniture nobody’s taking, a basement that never got touched, the last of what didn’t make the cut. That’s where SIR JUNK comes in. The Ramsey-based crew clears out what remains, room by room. Donation comes first and the landfill comes last, and the price confirmed on site is the price the family pays.
Three businesses, three visits, one family who only has to explain their situation once. If you’re a caregiver or an adult child facing a parent’s move, that’s the order to call in: plan first, move second, clear last. Each one makes the next one easier.
Join The Alliance of Senior Services of New Jersey (TASS) as they host a panel discussion all about the needs and opportunities available for the senior community.
Tuesday Sept. 8th, 2026 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Living Wills & Other Legal Documents
Join Kimberly Paton, Esq. as she explains the two key parts of a Living Will: an advance directive, which outlines your healthcare preferences, and a healthcare power of attorney, which appoints someone you
trust to work with your doctors and ensure your wishes are honored.
During this informative presentation, Kimberly Paton, Esq. will also discuss the different types
of Living Will forms—including hospital forms, attorney-prepared documents, and POLST
forms—and the important differences between them. You’ll learn about common misconceptions
surrounding Living Wills and discover that you have more choices than many people realize,
including the option to request all available life-sustaining treatment or to authorize your
healthcare agent to make decisions based on your circumstances.
A light lunch will be provided to those who register.
Thinking about downsizing? Somewhere between touring new homes, sorting through years of belongings, and deciding what to take with you, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This engaging workshop will give you practical tools, expert tips, and a step-by-step approach to make the downsizing process simpler, more organized, and far less stressful. Whether you’re planning a move soon or just starting to think about it, you’ll walk away feeling informed, confident, and ready to take the next step.
A light lunch will be provided to those who register.
Paramus Free Public Library – 116 East Century Rd., Paramus, NJ
Tuesday Nov. 10th, 2026 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Medicare 101
Turning 65? Ready to retire? Have Medicare questions? Bree Doyle can help!
She is a licensed Medicare insurance broker who specializes in Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug, and Dental, and Vision plans!
There is never a charge. Piece of Cake Insurance consulting is free.
A light lunch will be provided to those who register.
Paramus Free Public Library – 116 East Century Rd., Paramus, NJ
Tuesday Dec. 8th, 2026 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Create & Connect: A Holiday Craft For Caregivers
The holidays can be wonderful but for caregivers, they can also be stressful. Join us for a cozy, creative gathering where you can relax, connect, share, and create. Enjoy a supportive conversation with fellow caregivers while unwinding with a fun holiday craft led by our art therapist. No experience necessary—just bring yourself and leave with something you created! Come for the craft. Stay for the connection. Leave feeling a little lighter. Join TASS members Laura Huisking from Generations Counseling & Care Management, Jen Van Dam from Brightview Joys Farm, and Ellen Bucciarelli from Paint Your Destiny for this special event!
A light lunch will be provided to those who register.
You do not need to be a Paramus resident.
Paramus Free Public Library – 116 East Century Rd., Paramus, NJ
