Highlights
Senior move managers can help coordinate most aspects of a senior citizen’s move.
They will help donate, dispose of, and sell unwanted items.
You can expect to pay between $1,500 and $5,000 for this service.
Organizing a major move—like out of a home you’ve lived in for years—can be a massive undertaking. Who do you call for to help pack your boxes? How do you decide which pieces of furniture are coming with you, and which you need to donate or sell?
Luckily, a senior move manager can help you or your senior loved ones organize and execute a successful move. Let’s review how this type of professional can take some of the stress out of moving to a new place.
What Is a Senior Move Manager?
A move manager, also known as a relocation specialist, is a professional moving organizer. Senior move managers specialize in helping older adults transition to assisted-living facilities or other homes.
Move managers don’t usually do the heavy lifting work, so you’ll still need to hire a local moving company to get all of your stuff from point A to point B. However, they can take some of the logistical aspects of a move off your plate. You can expect move managers to cost between $1,500 to $5,000 to use their services for the duration of your move.
What Does a Senior Move Manager Do?
Your senior move manager will help you coordinate everything from the higher-level aspects of your move—like finding a professional to move your heirloom piano—to helping you sort your belongings to determine what to take with you.
Some other things move manager responsibilities include:
Arranging to donate or sell unwanted items
Scheduling disposal options for those items that aren’t fit to donate or sell
Finding and hiring your movers
Coordinating all the day-of details
Helping to pack and unpack belongings
What Questions Should You Ask a Senior Move Manager?
When hiring any type of professional help, you should prepare a list of questions to ask before signing on the dotted line. Since senior move managers typically work with older adults, it’s essential to verify that they have the right experience and insurance to complete the job well.
Ask move manager candidates the following questions:
What type of insurance do you carry?
Can I verify your list of references?
Do you charge by the hour or the job? How do you handle jobs that exceed the initial estimate?
How much experience do you have working with seniors?
How do you handle moving challenging items, such as antiques or large pieces of furniture?
Why You Should Hire a Senior Move Manager
You may be tempted to pass the job of move manager onto a close friend or a loved one (or even take on the role yourself), but there are plenty of benefits to hiring a pro.
Not only can they help with some of the more overwhelming aspects of downsizing, but they can anticipate and solve some of the more common moving problems. Plus, professionals who have experience working with older adults will know how to navigate difficult tasks and emotional responses with ease.
