How A Moving Manager Can Help an Older Loved One Age In Place Or Relocate Successfully

Just about everyone wants a place to call their own. Your loved one is no different. As we get older, home can take on new meaning. Older adults may need to downsize or update their surroundings for comfort and safety. In other cases, your loved one might decide to relocate to a senior living community. 

Whatever their circumstances, your loved one might benefit from working with a moving manager. Another common term, Senior Move Manager, refers to companies that are members of the National Association of Specialty & Senior Move Managers (NASMM), which provides specialized training for and oversight of moving managers. In this post, we’ll explain the perks of working with a moving manager, how they can help, and where you can go to book one. 

What Does a Moving Manager Do? 

There are several kinds of moving managers. All of them aim to help older adults get situated at home, whether inside their existing house or at a new location. Moving managers can enter the profession with many different areas of expertise, and some may have backgrounds in care for seniors, health care, or even psychology. Others might have worked in the business world as project managers or marketers. 

Depending on the help your loved one needs, you might ask a moving manager to:

• Put together a plan to help your loved one age in place or move to a new home or living facility

• Go through items in your loved one’s home and organize and/or box them for a move

• Develop floor plans that fit your loved one’s mobility needs

• Downsize the number of things, which might include auctioning or selling items your loved one doesn’t need any more

• Unpack and set up items at your loved one’s new home

• Help get your loved one’s home listed and sold in partnership with a Realtor

A moving manager can provide many other services, as well. You can find qualified moving managers via the NASMM website and then ask specific questions about the kinds of ways they can help.

What Are the Benefits of Working With a Moving Manager? 

You can think of great moving managers as a one-stop shop for your loved one’s at-home needs, whether staying in their house or changing addresses. In addition, they provide an array of support services, including coaching and emotional support, logistics and planning, organization, and packing.  

A big change can be stressful and overwhelming, even if it means downsizing at home. The best moving managers provide regular reassurance to you and your loved one. They paint a vision for where you are going, built upon feedback directly from your loved one. They then create a plan with clear and measurable outcomes. As a result, you and your loved one will know where you are going and what home will look and feel like at the end of the process. 

Next, great moving managers help make a multi-part process feel effortless. They understand all the steps required for a successful home change for your loved one. Then, they manage each stage to ensure those steps are completed to your loved one’s satisfaction. For example, a certified Senior Move Manager undergoes detailed training and follows a strict ethical code. This provides you with confidence and with a professional whose priority is always your loved one.

Finally, a good moving manager will either perform the daily tasks of moving and downsizing or oversee those who do. They understand best practices for organization, packing, moving, setting up a new home, and so on. These details can be fun for some caregivers, though they can be overwhelming for many. A moving manager reduces stress and hassle for you and your loved one. This can make the moving process enjoyable and even fun because of the positive outcomes a qualified moving manager delivers.

When Might I Want to Work With a Moving Manager? 

As a caregiver, you may work with a moving manager because your loved one has chosen to stay home as long as possible, is looking to downsize into a smaller home, or transitioning into a senior living community. Limited mobility may cause you to explore some upgrades at their home to make it easy to get to the kitchen or the bathroom. A moving manager can help you map out the steps needed to help your loved one continue living at home with dignity and independence. 

Whatever the case, a moving manager will spend time getting to know you and your loved one. They will explain the steps needed to complete a successful move. Then, they or their team will take actions you’ve approved to make the move. This might include sorting, boxing, and labeling items. It could involve loading a moving van, unloading boxes at your loved one’s new home and setting up some or all items.

How Can I Get Started With a Moving Manager? 

Working with a moving manager starts with finding qualified help in your loved one’s ZIP code. To get started, you can use the search function on the NASMM website. Once you’ve identified one or more options, you can contact these companies through their phone number or website. 

Before you sign any agreement, a prospective moving manager will visit you to understand the type of work you’d like completed. They will explain how they can help and will also share the payment process for their services. Some companies offer a fixed rate inclusive of all the services you need. Others might charge by the hour or by the specific type of services provided. 

It’s perfectly OK to ask for documentation of a moving manager’s insurance or liability policies. This can help ensure you are working with a certified professional. Additionally, you can ask for referrals from other clients who have successfully worked with the moving manager in the past. 

What’s the Difference Between a Moving Manager and a Standard Moving Company? 

Although standard movers work with a variety of homeowners, moving managers work specifically with seniors and their families. That’s the primary difference between these two types of professionals. 

A moving manager provides help packing and moving boxes, planning support, oversight of other trained professionals (in some cases), and client support services to reassure and educate your loved one at all stages of the process. This added level of customer support for your loved one is a big advantage of working with a moving manager.

Where Can I Find a Moving Manager I Can Trust? 

To find a moving manager who can help your loved one age in place or make a move, you can visit the NASMM website.