Frequently Asked Questions:

I'm curious. What exactly is Senior Move Management?

Senior Move Management is the profession that assists older adults and their families with the emotional and physical aspects of relocation or aging in place. 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, accounting or marketing. Senior Move Managers® require a profound commitment to connecting with older adults and a desire to perform meaningful work.

​

Some Senior Move Managers® provide services directly; others function in more of an oversight or management role. Senior Move Managers® have extensive, practical knowledge about the costs, quality and availability of various local community resources. Additionally, Senior Move Managers® frequently assist individuals who choose to stay in their own homes, but simply require expert organizational skills and solid knowledge of aging in place concepts to help them achieve their goal of not moving anywhere, but improving quality of life.

 

One call to a Senior Move Manager® can connect you with services older adults and families need for a seamless, successful transition of all kinds.

 

Who uses Senior Move Managers®?

Senior Move Managers® are contacted by various sources:

• Older adults

• Family members

• Bank and trust officers

• Geriatric Care Managers

• Attorneys

• Social service providers/social workers

• Senior living communities

• Physicians and allied health providers

• Realtors

• Staging professionals

 

What are the real benefits of Senior Move Management services?

• Senior Move Managers® have significant expertise in resources and approaches that save money, reduce stress and produce quality results.

• Services are client-centered and personalized to meet the client's needs and preferences. Families, particularly, should never doubt the power of an outside expert.

• NASMM members are reviewed for insurance and experience requirements prior to acceptance.

• Ongoing educational programs reflect the NASMM commitment to professionalism and to working with older adults.

• NASMM has developed a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for all members.

 

How much do Senior Move Management services cost?

• It's virtually impossible to calculate what a specific move might cost, as the fee can vary considerably by geographic region and the services requested.

• Additionally, some Senior Move Manager® charge their fees on an hourly basis, while others prefer to package the cost of the entire job at one price.

 

I am interested in obtaining some help with my mom's move, but we can do most of the work to save money. Can I still contact a Senior Move Manager® to do just some of the work?

Yes, most Senior Move Managers® offer a menu of services from which you can choose and you pay accordingly. The ultimate goal of this industry is to ease the stress of the move process for older adults and family members, not add to your concerns.

 

What makes a Senior Move Manager® different from just a moving company? They seem pretty similar to me ... are they?

• Senior Move Managers® provide a multi-faceted approach to the move process: from space planning in the beginning to post-move support and advocacy.

• Senior Move Managers® minimize the chaos and stress associated with moving by addressing all aspects of the move process. They are responsible to for creating and executing a seamless action plan, customized to the client's wishes.

• Actually, some but not all Senior Move Managers® are also movers. Those providers that are not movers will work closely with a reputable local moving company to complete that aspect of the job.

• With the gentle and expert guidance of an experienced Senior Move Manager®, older adults and families make the key decisions without the emotional and physical distress that can follow. As a result, they avoid the costly mistakes and remorse that often accompany such major lifestyle transitions.

• Senior Move Managers® do so much more than simply sort, settle and move boxes; with loads of energy, enthusiasm and experience, Senior Move Managers® take the worry (and work) out of the move process. The client's job is to simply enjoy his or her new living arrangement.

 

What questions should I ask when deciding to contract with a Senior Move Manager®?

• Have you participated in any formal training programs?

• Are you fully insured for liability and workers' compensation?

• How do you charge? (Fees should be provided in writing to the consumer or responsible party prior to providing services).

• Will you provide a written contract?

• Can you provide references?

• Are you a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers® (NASMM)?