Time to Call a Senior Move Manager?

Mary Kay Buysse, NASMM Executive Director

Careful planning is the fundamental strategy to successful living throughout life, but it's especially important as we (and others whom we love) approach later life. While none of us knows what the future truly holds, we clearly need to prepare to make solid, educated choices. As we grow older, some of us choose to remain in the house or apartment that has been our home for many years. However, many of us are increasingly exploring the prospect of moving to another residence that better reflects and supports our changes in lifestyle.

Those of us in middle and later life making a transition typically have not moved in 30, 40 or 50 years and we need to downsize considerably. The organizational and physical tasks associated with planning and implementing such a complex move is overwhelming for our entire family. As adult children, we are often unable to help with the move process due to distance, career and other family obligations. Many seniors simply have no surviving children or, even more likely, their children are older adults themselves. If illness or death precipitates the move, our family members are already drained both emotionally and physically. We need help.

A Senior Move Manager is a professional who specializes in assisting older adults and their families with the emotional and physical aspects of relocation and/or "aging in place." Senior move managers provide a multi-faceted approach to the move process - from space planning in the beginning to post-move support and advocacy.

With the gentle and expert guidance of an experienced senior move manager, older adults and families make the key decisions without the burden of the emotional and physical distress that can follow. As a result, we all avoid the costly mistakes and remorse that accompany such major lifestyle changes. Senior move managers have significant expertise in resources and approaches that save money, reduce stress and produce quality results. Furthermore, services are client-centered and personalized to meet the client's needs and preferences.

At the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM), we believe our national membership provides the best in senior move services. Although specific services vary, NASMM members can help with some or all of the following:

  • Developing an overall move or "age in place" plan
  • Organizing, sorting and downsizing
  • Customized floor plans
  • Arranging for the profitable disposal of unwanted items through auction, estate sale, buy-out, consignment, donation, or a combination of the above
  • Interviewing, scheduling and overseeing movers
  • Arranging shipments and storage
  • Professional packing
  • Unpacking and setting up the new home
  • Related services, such as cleaning, waste removal, shopping, senior escort, assisting with selection of a realtor and helping to prepare the home for sale
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