Senior Moves: What is A Move Manager?

and how they help make the entire transition less stressful and more positive!
Moving is difficult at any age. It’s particularly challenging for seniors, who are often simultaneously dealing with other challenges such as loss of mobility, health, independence, or a spouse or other family member. Detaching from their home and decades of possessions can feel overwhelming. What is a move manager? They are a specialized project manager who helps seniors tackle and feel in charge of the necessary changes in their living situation. They can handle long lists of details to help for a smooth transition, often provide emotional support and have creative approaches to solving issues as they arise. Services vary with different levels of support or ala carte services. They can assist at whatever level is warranted or wanted. The relationship usually start with in-home consultation to determine needs. They can:
  • Assist in downsizing and sorting possessions
  • Create a custom floorplan for placing furniture and belongings in the new space
  • Coordinate the placement of heirlooms with family members
  • Arrange for the profitable disposal of items that won’t be moved
  • Make and document donations to charity
  • Organize the packing, moving and unboxing of items on the other end
  • Arrange furniture, organize belongings, decorate, hang pictures, etc at the new location to it immediately feels like home.
Additionally, some may be able to assist in other specialized ways, such as:
  • Technical support for setting up computers, TVs and other equipment
  • Virtual meetings to help adult children remain involved without being physically present
  • Handling change of address and mail forwarding arrangements
  • Shutting off and turning on utilities
  • Arranging transport to the new home
Since move managers understand how to declutter spaces and make them safe and comfortable for seniors, sometimes they are hired to help prepare a senior’s current home for aging in place. Most seniors want to stay in their homes as long as possible, surrounded by their familiar and memory-filled possessions. A move manager can help soothe the emotional side of a move when it’s no longer safe or practical for seniors to stay in their homes. They can positively impact many aspects of a senior’s life:
Lighten the load. Many seniors are capable of doing the physical work required during a move. Employing a move manager means that boxing, unboxing, cleaning, and organizing personal belongings get done—either by the move manager or by a vetted service provider they utilize. Decision-making assistance. It’s hard to decide what to do with decades of belongings. As an objective third party, a move manager can offer a different perspective to guide the decision-making process. Coordination with family members. Move managers can offer communication alternatives that will save the cost and hassle of far-flung adult children making multiple trips to help a parent prepare for a move, reducing stress and negative impacts on the entire family. Keeping seniors healthy. Beyond the safety aspects of sparing seniors from the physical work of moving, there are the less apparent health benefits. Reducing the stress of a move produces better long-term outcomes for seniors.
Relocation Stress Syndrome, also called Transfer Trauma, can occur with abrupt and difficult transitions. Symptoms include confusion, anxiety, depression, loneliness, irritability, and other changes in disposition. It can also negatively impact senior’s general health, producing stomach problems, sleep disturbances, changes in eating habits and even falls. When a move manager helps ease the transition, potential adverse effects are minimized. Move managers may be able to help the senior view the move as a new phase of life, perhaps even an adventure. Preventing anxiety and irritation during the move process will help keep seniors healthy and optimistic about their future. Please reach out to me for help in finding the ideal move manager. A smooth and positive transition from beginning to end will produce an optimal outcome for all individuals involved, especially your aged loved ones.
“The SRES Professional”, March/April 2021
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