Moving is hard enough as it is, but for a senior it’s a major undertaking—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Senior move managers exist to help in this transition, but as with any sort of product or service, you have to know what to look for. In this post, In this post, we’re going to cover:
-
- What a senior move manager is
- 10 things to look for in a senior move manager
- Questions to ask a SMM before hiring
Whether you’re the one moving or you’re looking for a loved one, you’ll be fully equipped to choose a senior move manager you feel confident about.
What is a senior move manager?
A senior move manager (SMM) is someone who specializes in helping seniors to declutter, downsize, and either relocate or age in place. They aren’t the actual movers, although some companies may partner with or even include moving services. You can think of a senior move manager as a mix between a personal assistant, event planner, and a friend. They help with the work and orchestrate the process, but they also provide moral support and guidance through what is often an emotionally taxing process.
What to look for in a senior move manager
Given that senior move managers have a multi-dimensional role, there are multiple things to look for when doing your research.
1. NASMM membership
NASMM stands for the National Association of Specialty and Senior Move Managers and is the leading membership organization in the industry. NASMM’s goal is to equip senior move managers to provide client-centered, personalized services aimed at helping seniors reduce stress and save money with their move. Members must meet certain insurance, experience, and coursework requirements so you can rest assured that you’ll be getting the service you deserve.
2. Local knowledge
Google may seem to have all the answers these days, but there is nothing like the knowledge of a person with long-time experience and strong connections in their community. A senior move manager with this kind of practical knowledge will know of the best new (and even profitable) homes for your unwanted items, have access to affordable and trusted vendors—perhaps even at lower rates— and may even be able to get you connected in your new community.
3. Collaboration
A senior move manager’s job is to take on the work, not the control. Calling the shots, moving faster than you’re comfortable with, organizing things the way they want them—you may have less work but at the cost of more stress. A good senior move manager provides guidance and education so you can make your own decisions and let you choose the pace; but is also ready to step in where you feel unable.
4. Hands-on help
Senior move managers may assign tasks to family members and other vendors, but they themselves are also present and working alongside you throughout the process. In other words, they don’t just coordinate and delegate; they’re right there with you, sorting, folding, cleaning, and packing.
5. Experience with seniors
Neither professional movers nor home organizers have the same skill set as senior move managers. This is not just a move. It’s a transition into a new stage of life that can be difficult to come to terms with. And it’s not just about getting organized. It’s about sorting through a lifetime of memories and finding ways to maintain a sense of independence, safety, and control. A senior move manager is trained to oversee the process with this compassionate lens and help the senior through emotional and physical roadblocks specific to seniors.
6. Forward focus
To a good senior move manager, the completion of your move isn’t the end but the beginning. In other words, they don’t see their job as a way to get you from point A to point B. It’s to get you to feel like A It’s not to bring to an end your previous lifestyle. It’s to get you set up to thrive and grow in your new lifestyle. That means loving your new home, operating safely within it, having access to the resources at your disposal, and more. Set up systems that will keep you doing well moving forward.
7. Personalization
A good SMM will have a set of tried-and-true routines, but a great SMM will be able to customize those routines to your exact needs, requirement, and goals. For example:
-
- Needs: To be able to accommodate food delivery services.
- Wants: To be able to see the sunset every night from your favorite chair.
- Goals: To manage your own bills.
These are the details of daily life that matter to you and impact your sense of well-being, and a great SMM will take special care to make sure they are covered.
Questions to ask your potential senior move manager
Here is more of the fine print information you should gather when you’re vetting SMMs
-
- How long have you been providing Move Management® services?
- Are you a member of the National Association of Specialty & Senior Move Managers® (NASMM)?
- Do you hold NASMM’s A+ Accreditation or NASMM’s SMM~C Certification?
- 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 client or the responsible party prior to providing services.)
- Will you provide a written contract?
- Can you provide references?
Whether you’re looking to move or age in place, the help of a diligent and compassionate senior move manager can make a world of difference. Keep these points in mind when choosing yours.
