What is a Senior Move Manager and Why You Want One!

NextStep Transitions manages moves for people of all ages and walks of life, but managing a move for an older adult is a highly specialized and very personalized service.  This is a service that we have been providing since 2007. Those that discover us before they move say we are lifesavers and they could not have done it without us.  Those that find out about NextStep Transitions AFTER they move say they wish they would have known about us sooner so that we could have saved them a lot of headache and stress!

This description supplied by NASMM (National Association of Senior Move Managers) says it all:

“Senior Move Management is the profession that assists older adults and their families with the emotional and physical aspects of relocation and/or “aging in place.” Senior Move Management professionals — Senior Move Managers® — have backgrounds in gerontology, social work, health care, nursing and psychology, others come to this industry from the corporate world of project management, technology, legal services, accounting or marketing. Senior Move Managers® require a profound commitment to connecting with older adults and a desire to perform meaningful work.”

Making a major move at any age can be very disorienting but for a senior leaving their home of many years it can be overwhelming. And for those with health or cognitive issues a move can be even more difficult. Not only is it hard on the senior who is moving, but it can be equally polarizing to the family trying to help.

The goal of utilizing a Senior Move Manager for your own move or for your parents move is to successfully manage the downsizing and relocation process. It is also to reduce the overall stress and negative impact associated with moving. Having a Senior Move Manager on board will provide the necessary emotional support and will provide direction on what needs to happen and when. The Senior Move Manager will oversee all aspects of the move and set up of your new space and will then get the residence emptied. You or your loved one can focus on more important things – like living, not moving!

When I first started NextStep Transitions in 2007, my very first clients were seniors planning to make a downsizing move.  They were planning to move out of their large 4-bedroom, 4000 sq. ft. home and into a 900 sq. foot, 2-bedroom apartment in a retirement community.  At our initial meeting, the first words out of their mouths were, “We don’t know where to start. We don’t know what to do with it all.” 

To this day, those have been the words that drive the services NextStep provides its clients. I should admit that there are many things I do not know, because who can know everything, right? But I do know that I will figure out what needs to be done and how to do it as needs are presented. Every relocation is different and unique and that is where NextStep’s services shine – we will always find the solution to whatever the situation.   

Here is a list of the services that you can expect from NextStep Transitions and other qualified Senior Move Management companies:

• Move Planning  
  • We develop a Transition Plan and Timeline that includes all necessary tasks and who is responsible to complete them. This plan generally includes everything from the initial sorting and downsizing sessions, packing for the move, coordination of vendors, all the way through completing the move, unpacking and set up of the new residence. It also usually includes getting the house emptied so that it is ready to go on the market.  No stone is left unturned. 

• Communications
  • Ongoing communications with the client and any family members that want to be included. Quite often family members work or live in a different city. They may be unable to help with the physical aspects of their parents move, but want to stay involved. We keep everyone connected. 

• Guidance
  • We provide direction and physical assistance to determine what to take and how to let go of what you can’t. Getting through 30, 40 and 50 years of accumulations is a daunting task. A solid plan and expert advice on what to do with it all helps the process.  We identify who gets what and execute a labeling plan to start making sense of it all. There is usually a fair amount of humor thrown in as things are somewhat better if laughter is involved.

• Space and Furniture Plan
  • Having a plan that identifies furniture moving and placement in the new space is one of the most important steps. Depending on the situation there may be some serious negotiating going on in this phase. Sometimes what we want to keep is not what will fit in the new space. Seeing it on a floor plan gets everyone one step closer to acceptance. Furniture planning also helps to identify the excess, so we can figure out what to do with it.

• Sorting and Packing 
  • We get everything packed for moving. We also pack and coordinate the shipping of items to friends and family members. In some situations, we coordinate special packing services through the moving company or other vendors for items of high value. 

• Move Management
  • Coordination and on-site supervision of all necessary services; moving company, donation and disposal removal and specialty services that may be needed for artwork, crating, parking barricades etc.

• Unpacking & Residence Set-up
  
  • We get all the boxes unpacked and the contents put away in a neat and orderly fashion.  We make the bed, move over refrigerator contents and can hang art if requested. We’ve even arranged to move Fido and get things set up for Morris.  Your new home is ready to live in.

• Client advocacy 
  • We are available for meetings with realtors, staging companies, repair services, moving and estate sale companies. You might say we become the newest child and protect our client’s interests. We act as the daughter or son that can’t be there.

• Estate Liquidation and Residence Clean Out
  • We work with you to identify the excess and have a plan for what to do with it.  Does it go to Family, Friends, Donation, Disposal or possible Consignment or Estate Sale? We get the lists distributed, tag the various destinations and make all the arrangements to leave the residence empty.

I enjoy assisting everyone who is moving and needs some help. However, assisting a senior who is going through a major transition holds a special place in my heart. There are solutions and services available to help make the process easier.

NextStep Transitions is a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers Association (NASMM)and have been since our inception in 2007.  NASMM members have strict business and insurance requirements, ongoing training and follow a strict code of ethics. I recommend that people always use a NASMM member.

For more information on Senior Move Managers go to www.nasmm.org