Ep 1: From Real Estate to Reality: My Journey into Senior Care

Gen Xers, grab a coffee—this one is for you! 🏡 In today’s episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad, host Chris Spade sits down with friend and client Dave McCulloch, who just helped his parents sell their longtime Carlsbad home at 3975 Highland Dr.

Dave unpacks the real lessons he learned while downsizing aging parents, from balancing timelines and emotions to tackling paperwork, dumpsters, and decision fatigue. You’ll hear:

• Why “it’s always something” became the family mantra during the 30-day escrow

• The $400 dumpster hack that saved everyone’s sanity

• How early trust & power-of-attorney prep kept the process on rails

• Tips for preserving memories without drowning in keepsakes

• Budget truths about movers, declutter pros, and last-minute repairs

Whether you’re staring at a garage full of memories or simply planning ahead, Dave’s candid advice will help you navigate senior relocation, estate planning, and family communication—minus the drama.

➡️ Have a question about your own transition? Send Chris a text at 619-818-2992

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In this episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad, host Chris Spade interviews Deborah Martin, CEO of ElderHelp San Diego. Deborah shares the organization's mission to help seniors live independently in their homes with dignity and offers insights into key programs like Care Coordination, Senior A GoGo, and volunteer-driven initiatives. If you’re a Gen Xer navigating the complexities of aging with your parents, this episode is packed with valuable advice on caregiving, housing options, and senior support resources. Tune in to learn how ElderHelp is making a difference for seniors and their families in San Diego.

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In this episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad, I sit down with Monica Flynn, a Senior Care Advisor at A Right Place for Seniors in San Diego. Monica shares her deeply personal journey through caregiving and how it led her to help families find the best care options for their aging loved ones. We unpack the emotional side of placing a parent in assisted living, how to prepare financially, what families get wrong about senior care, and how to match a senior with the right community—not just the nearest or nicest.

Whether you're just beginning the journey or knee-deep in the process, Monica offers practical wisdom, insider tips, and compassionate guidance to help you make the best decisions with clarity and confidence.

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In this episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad, host Chris Spade sits down with Karina Rios, Residential Outreach Specialist at St. Paul’s Senior Services, one of San Diego’s most trusted senior living providers. Karina breaks down the different types of senior care—from independent living and assisted living to memory care and skilled nursing—and shares expert tips on what families should look for when choosing a senior community.
Whether you're just starting the search or feeling overwhelmed with options, this conversation will give you real answers, helpful advice, and peace of mind.
Learn about the PACE program, pet-friendly options, activities that keep seniors connected, and how to avoid common mistakes during the selection process.

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In this solo recap episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad, host Chris Spade reflects on the first 16 episodes and the powerful lessons shared by expert guests—from estate planning attorneys and fiduciaries to senior move managers, Medicare specialists, and aging-in-place pros. If you're helping your parents navigate the next chapter—downsizing, moving, or planning for aging—this episode is your must-listen roundup of actionable insights. Whether it’s understanding trusts, choosing the right Medicare plan, or avoiding family conflict during estate sales, this episode will prepare you for what's ahead.

In this episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad, host Chris Spade talks with Jamie Shapiro, founder of Silver Linings Transitions and an A+ accredited senior move manager. Jamie shares how her team supports seniors and their families through right-sizing, emotional transitions, and seamless moves. Learn the difference between traditional movers and certified senior move managers, what really happens during a downsizing move, and how to avoid family conflict when it’s time to let go of decades of belongings. If you're a Gen Xer helping aging parents plan a move, this episode is packed with insight and compassion.

🔗 Connect with Jamie: https://silverliningstransitions.com
💼 Accredited by NASMM: https://nasmm.org

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If the idea of sorting through decades of belongings makes your head spin, hit “play.” In this episode of Moving Mom & Downsizing Dad, Chris Spade sits down with estate-sale pro Rey Ayon, owner of True Heritage Estate Sales, to unpack the emotional and logistical hurdles that come with downsizing a lifetime of memories. Rey explains how to separate sentimental value from market value, why pricing strategy matters, and the simple mindset shifts that can make the process less overwhelming for you and your parents.

Key takeaways

• How to start decluttering years before a move

• What actually sells (and what doesn’t) in today’s estate-sale market

• Proven tactics for avoiding family squabbles over heirlooms

• Red-flag questions to ask before you hire any estate-sale company

Connect with Rey Ayon
• Website: https://trueheritagehomes.com
• Email: [email protected] True Heritage Estate Sales
• Phone: (619) 634-9012 True Heritage Estate Sales

Need San Diego real-estate advice? Reach out to host Chris Spade, Keller Williams Realty—call, text, or schedule a chat.

In this episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad, Chris Spade sits down with Erica Sell, founder of Harmony Home Medical in San Diego, to explore how seniors can safely and stylishly age in place. With nearly two decades of experience in the medical equipment and home accessibility world, Erica shares practical insights into home safety evaluations, trending products like zero-threshold showers and stylish grab bars, and how families can avoid crisis-mode care by planning early. Whether you're helping a parent or thinking ahead for yourself, this episode is packed with expert tips to help you create a safe, beautiful, and functional living space.

If you have questions about this podcast, you can call Harmony Home Medical at 858-560-8177

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In this episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad, Chris Spade sits down with certified estate planning attorney Sandy Isaac to break down everything Gen Xers need to know about helping their parents plan their estates. From the difference between wills and trusts to avoiding probate, understanding power of attorney, and selecting the right trustee, this conversation covers the essentials in plain English. Whether your parents are aging in place or considering a move, having a clear estate plan in place can make a world of difference. Don’t wait—get the knowledge you need to protect your family’s legacy.

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In this episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad, we're joined by Jen and Tori, founders of Sort It Out San Diego—professional organizers who specialize in helping seniors and their families declutter, downsize, and transition with dignity. Whether you're helping a parent move into assisted living, planning for retirement, or just trying to simplify a longtime family home, Jen and Tori share expert tips, emotional insights, and practical strategies to make the process smoother.

We cover how to start the conversation about downsizing, how to handle sentimental items, and how to organize room-by-room without overwhelming your loved one. This episode is perfect for Gen Xers supporting aging parents or anyone looking for compassionate advice on senior transitions.

You can reach out to Jen and Tori by going to their website: https://sortitoutsd.com/

Questions? Call me at 619-818-2992

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