Moving to a new home is one of the biggest and most stressful events people experience. But for seniors, a major move can be downright overwhelming. Not only are you having to box up your entire life, you might also need to downsize as well. It can be a lot to manage, which is why some opt to seek expert help for the occasion in the form of a senior move manager.
Senior move managers and specialists exist to facilitate not only the physical move, but all the smaller details you might not think about when making a move. We’ve spoken with a few experts to get all the details on what senior move managers and specialists are, what they do and why you might want to consider them for your (or your loved one’s) next big move.
“It can be very overwhelming to see hundreds of boxes filled with your belongings. My team and I can come in and get your home set up quickly and efficiently.”
— Lauren Saltman, professional organizer and owner of Living. Simplified.
What are senior move managers?
“A senior move manager is an individual who helps older adults downsize from a current home to a new living environment, whether that’s with an adult child, independent living, assisted living — you name it,” says Mary Kay Buysse, Co-Executive Director or the National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers (NASMM).
While senior move managers don’t actually pack up and move items themselves, they often work with moving companies, cleaning companies and other experts to help facilitate the process.
Buysse says most seniors they work with are moving into smaller living spaces than their initial homes. “A lot of times, a typical senior move manager’s job might be moving someone from a 2500-square-foot home of 42 years to a 600-square-foot assisted living apartment,” she says. So, the challenge lies in helping them decide what stays, what goes and where it all goes.
Read more:
Senior move managers vs. senior move specialists
The name “senior move manager” is trademarked, meaning those who hold this title are part of the NASMM, which is the only trade association supporting this field.
“[Our members go through] a lot of professional development and continuing education,” says Busse. Additionally, she adds, senior move managers must:
- Show proof of liability insurance.
- Pass four preliminary cornerstone courses.
- Adhere to a strict code of ethics.
- Have any complaints evaluated by the NASMM Ethics Compliance Commission.
Those who aren’t part of the NASMM may still work as senior move specialists or senior move experts. Lauren Saltman, professional organizer and owner of Living. Simplified, is one such expert. Saltman says she has worked with seniors since she began her business six years ago, and they make up 40% of her client base.
“One reason for that is my clients are so happy with the work I do that they recommend me to their friends,” says Saltman.
As a professional organizer and move specialist, Saltman does the same type of work typical senior move managers do and also assists with organizing the client’s new home. “It can be very overwhelming to see hundreds of boxes filled with your belongings,” she explains. “My team and I can come in and get your home set up quickly and efficiently.”
Whether you hire a senior move manager, senior move specialist or other expert will depend on your needs. Regardless, you’ll want to research each company a bit further, read reviews or go by personal recommendations.
How much do senior move managers charge?
Both Buysse and Saltman state that senior moving managers and specialists generally charge by the hour. When calculating the rate, some of the factors considered include:
- The location of the home (larger city vs. smaller town).
- The size of the home.How much downsizing needs to happen.
- What types of items are being downsized and in what way (e.g. rehoming a rare collection takes longer than hiring junk haulers to dump trash).
- How much time there is to complete the move.
- The size of the team (larger homes require a bigger team).
More specifically, Buysse says while senior move managers in larger cities, like New York City or Los Angeles, may charge an average of $90-125/hour, those in smaller markets may only charge $50-60/hour. Saltman, whose company covers the New England area, says she charges $85-150/hour, depending on the project.
Additionally, Buysse says senior move managers will sometimes offer packages of time (such as $1000 for a set number of hours) and will then stick to whatever budget the client needs.
Who should hire a senior moving manager?
Find a professional home organizer.
Not every senior will need a move manager or specialist to help facilitate their move, though anyone can benefit from their services. A senior move manager may be best suited for seniors and those with older loved ones in the following situations:
- The individual moving has mobility issues, disabilities or a chronic illness.
- The individual is moving to a significantly smaller space.
- The individual is moving to a new and unfamiliar area.
- The individual does not have anyone else who can help facilitate the move.
- The individual has a particularly cluttered home.
- The individual can afford the cost of hiring additional help for peace of mind.
What are the benefits of hiring a senior move manager?
“Our senior move managers are sort of walking rolodexes,” says Buysse. “Handyman services, estate sale services, moving services — our members all have really close, good relationships with a number of those providers locally.” While you don’t have to rely on your manager’s referrals, you have the advantage of being able to interview pre-vetted vendors to help save time.
Additionally, some senior move specialists can help with additional services themselves. Saltman says she helps her clients pre-pack their home, declutter, do light home staging and depersonalize the home as they prepare to list their home for sale.
“I also work with my clients to help decide what furniture they can take with them, especially if they are downsizing,” she says. “I will measure all of their furniture and using the floor plan of their new home, we work together to decide which pieces of furniture they will take with them.”
“A good move manager will take the time to talk with the senior, learn their story and help them feel part of the process.”
— Moti Gamburd, CEO, Raya’s Paradise
What should you look for in a senior move manager or specialist?
“One thing I always recommend when choosing a senior move manager is finding someone who understands the emotional side of moving, not just the logistics,” says Moti Gamburd, CEO of the residential care community Raya’s Paradise, who has collaborated with many senior move managers over the years. “A good move manager will take the time to talk with the senior, learn their story and help them feel part of the process.”
Additionally, Gamburd says clear communication is another hallmark of a great move manager. “They should provide a detailed plan for the move, including timelines, packing assistance, and coordination with the new living space,” he explains.
Saltman adds that knowledge of the area the senior is moving from or to is also key — to ensure they have knowledge of local vendors (painters, cleaners, etc.) needed to easily facilitate the move.
The bottom line
A senior move manager or specialist can help make the process of downsizing, moving to assisted living or making other major home and life changes easier for seniors in transition.
To hire a senior move manager, you can search the NASMM website to find potential candidates, see what areas they serve, what certifications they have, how long they’ve been in business and more. You can also search online for senior move specialists and professional organizers, read reviews or ask neighbors and others who they’ve worked with.
Whatever the case, hiring a senior move manager or specialist can truly take a lot of the stress out of your or your loved one’s next move.
