What is a Senior Move Manager®?

A Senior Move Manager® supports older adults through the process of downsizing, simplifying, and relocating their homes. Senior Move Managers® work to create a seamless, lower stress moving experience for you.

What is your specialty?

My specialty is helping people who are moving into a smaller home, retirement or care communities, and want the hands-on support of an experienced guide during the downsizing and moving process. I provide physical, logistical, and emotional support throughout. My strengths are:

• Project Planning: Creating a custom action plan that you can refer to

• Space Planning: To determine what furniture you can bring and to streamline your living space

• Downsizing: To support you with care and efficiency in letting go of items that won’t be moving with you

• Move Management: Creating relationships and overseeing logistics

• Unpacking and Organization: To help you get you settled quickly

Who are your partners?

I serve as a liaison between you and parties involved in the home sale and moving process. These often include Realtors, moving companies, senior living centers, estate sale professionals, non-profit organizations accepting donations, and haulers. I act as a point person to “fill in the gaps” and ensure a smooth moving process.

How is a Senior Move Manager® different from a mover?

A move manager helps plan and make key decisions to reduce the emotional and physical distress of a move. They are also experts in decluttering and organization. But they do so much more than plan, sort, settle, and organize. They take the worry and work out of moving. A moving company typically comes with a truck and crew, and offers packing, moving, and hauling services.

How much do you charge?

Since each project varies in complexity and services required, there is no one answer to this frequently asked question. After an initial phone call to determine fit, we may set up an in-person, at-home consultation for $150. During this consultation, I will take a home tour, would learn more about your needs, describe my process in detail, and provide ideas and resources. After this meeting, I will provide a written project plan and an estimate. If you choose to hire me, the consultation fee will be applied as a credit to your final invoice.

When should I get started?

Meeting with a Senior Move Manager® early in the downsizing process can give you the most options for how to approach your move. A Senior Move Manager® can help you map out a plan and timeline that works best for you, even if you end up waiting until closer to your move date to get started with sorting and downsizing.

Can you help me even if I am not moving?

Yes! If you are looking to optimize your current space rather than move to a new one, I offer decluttering and organization services that can help your home so it feels safe and serene.

What if I want to do my own downsizing? Can you still help with the move management part?

If you wish to do your own sorting, and/or have the support of family or friends to assist, I do offer move management services a la carte. I am also happy to offer guidance and tips to help you simplify the downsizing process. However, since I use an efficient approach to downsizing and organizing your home prior to the move, I recommend including project planning, space planning, downsizing, and move management services for the most seamless experience.

Where can I learn more?

The National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers provides resources on their website at www.nasmm.org. Last year, the New York Times ran an article about the growing Senior Move Management field. You can find it here. Barron’s Magazine also recently ran a feature on our industry, which you can read here.