Assisted Living Articles » The actual move
What are Senior Move Management Services?
Senior Move Management: An alternative for families in transition
Moving: the very thought of it makes people anxious. The task is physically and emotionally stressful for the young and healthy. Now imagine you’re 82. You have not moved in forty years, you are visually impaired, or you’ve just lost a spouse. You know a move is necessary to increase your safety and security. You may be overwhelmed with the idea of planning the move. There’s the physical task of cleaning out the house and throwing things away; of organizing and packing. Who will help you sell your home? What needs to be done to get in ready for sale? How will you get it ready to market? What about setting up your new home? Where can you turn for help?
When faced with the challenge of moving we often look to family and friends. But adult children may have careers and family obligations of their own. Sometimes geography or troubled relationships may prevent families from being able to pitch in. In the event of illness or a recent death, the family may already be emotionally drained and physically unable to cope. And the prospect of lifting heavy objects, even for middle-aged individuals can pose a risk.
The last decade has given rise to a new group of professionals who specialize in moving seniors from one home to another and managing the whole process in between; from floor plans, to moving trucks, to hanging pictures and installing new phone service. They are called Senior Move Managers. They are experts at transition, whether it’s from one home to another, from family home to senior housing, or even a change from one apartment to the next in the same building.
Making a move late in life often requires downsizing personal belongings, and move managers are skilled at sorting and eliminating the clutter that accumulates throughout the years. But they have the compassion to consider the emotional value of our worldly belongings and the symbolism of the family home. They’ll come to your home and help sort through your possessions; many offer appraisal services for your valuables. Then they can help to disperse those items to family or charities and arrange for the best way to dispose of unwanted items. If you choose to have an estate sale they can organize and conduct that event as well; or they can arrange to have items sold via the Internet. Deciding what to take and what to leave behind is a difficult task. Working with floor plans, the move manager can help you decide what items will work well in your new home.
Some move managers specialize in the sale of your home. Selling a home is very different now than it was thirty or forty years ago. With a passion for older adults, these professionals have the knowledge and sensitivity to walk you through the entire process.
Many move managers can also arrange for the cleaning, trash removal, repainting and landscaping of your home. They can arrange for the pick up of junk and the actual staging of your property for sale.
Packing for a move is often physically the hardest part. Move managers can order the boxes and the padding, pack the items, label everything and put it on the truck. Some have contractual agreements with movers, some offer the moving services themselves. Most will provide transportation for you and your family on moving day. They can negotiate favorable rates and work with your schedule.
When you arrive at your new home the move managers can ready your new residence prior to your arrival. What a gift to walk into a new home and find it ready to live in; the beds made, the towels on the racks, dishes in the cupboards and the phone is ringing! Everything is unpacked and the packing materials are all removed.
Because senior move management is a fairly new industry there is great variety in the services offered. However, like all businesses, each provider will probably have a specialty. Some will provide real estate services, some are downsizing experts and some will manage financial and legal tasks. Some move managers have formed alliances the various providers so that they can offer all services under one roof, but through different contractors. Typically, your initial consultation should be free. References should be provided (and if not, ask for them!). The rates and services should be explained to you clearly and should be in writing. Because each company has a different assortment of services, they will have a variety of fee schedules. Once you have discussed your needs and the services that can be provided, the company should be able to give you a very concrete bid on the costs involved.
Senior move management is becoming a favorable alternative to relying upon family and friends to help make the move. If you are planning a move in the future, or if life changing events have made it necessary for you to move from your home, consider this modern and incredibly convenient service.
For a complete list of Senior Move Management service providers please contact CHOICE at 800-361-0138 or drop us an email at info@choiceadvisory.com
Call CHOICE at 800-361-0138 for a free,
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Last update: 2007-05-05 22:04
Author: Tech Support
Revision: 1.2
