Why Specialized Moving Services Matter for Seniors
HireAHelper reports that 25.6 million Americans moved in 2023, the lowest percentage of people relocating ever recorded. People move for various reasons:
- New job
- Losing their job
- Expanding families
- School
- Senior relocation
Of course, it's not always possible to pack everything in your car and go. Moving services help safely transport beloved goods where they need to go.
Seniors, in particular, may need specialized moving services that can help with downsizing after estate liquidation.
Of course, these movers handle more than packing and moving to a smaller home. Read on to learn more about senior moving managers and what they do.
Why You Need Senior Moving Services
You and your kids could pack and move your things where they need to go, but a professionally vetted moving service could likely do the job much better. Senior move managers often have accompanying backgrounds in:
- Social work
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Marketing
- Project management
- Information technology
People wanting to work in the field often need specific professional and life experiences, with the desire to work with older adults. You'll also want your movers to be licensed and insured to protect you and them from liability.
The National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) requires their movers to have general liability insurance. General liability:
- Pays for physical injury or illness to a third party by the company
- Pays for medical expenses caused by the company's operations
- Pays for third-party property damage caused by company operations
- Defends against lawsuit costs
- Defends against libel and slander
- Protects against settlement bonds or judgments
- Protects against damages to a landlord's property
Note that general liability insurance doesn't cover employee injuries and illnesses. An employer would need workers' compensation insurance. Licensing ensures your chosen company can legally work in Iowa.
A moving service will need a U.S. Department of Transportation (USCDOT) identification number and an operating authority (MC) number. The MC number allows movers to transport non-federally regulated items.
Moving companies using trucks will need a commercial driving license or CDL. Others may require local (city) licenses to move goods and items.
They Help With Dignified Downsizing
Baby Boomers tend to stay in one place, unlike Generation X and Millennials. Older adults often have more items -- more accumulated memories -- that they unfortunately can't take to assisted living.
Meanwhile, Gen X and Millennials don't often keep or hold onto things as long, often out of necessity. They may become confused and frustrated with their parents.
Estate liquidation isn't a requirement when transitioning to an assisted living community. However, it can help with downsizing and can give older adults more cash assets.
Senior move managers help organize asset conversions and downsizing with dignity and patience. Movers can market the liquidation sale and pitch other ideas for rehoming or disposing of items.
They Save Time
Senior relocation is a highly involved process, so anything that can save time is welcome. Adult children may not have the time or resources to make a single trip, much less multiple.
Of course, moving is only part of the relocation process. The complete procedure looks something like this:
- Organize
- Pack
- Move
- Open houses
- Home stagings
- Estate sales/liquidation
It should be clarified that these movers don't actually help sell the home but rather organize the process. They contact people who can handle the sale.
We also want to establish that not everyone sells their homes as part of the relocation process. It's often a good idea to hire a manager months in advance to help with the entire move and home sale.
Moving through each room can take time. However, some families go through all their loved one's things in a single weekend.
Senior moving services use technology to organize liquidations and arrange family chats virtually. These online time-saving measures are welcome for families living far from their assisted living communities.
They Can Save You and Your Family Money
A move can cost $2,543 locally and $10,000 for a move 100 miles or greater. Senior move managers can drastically cut these costs by eliminating costly travel for families to their elderly loved ones.
Move managers can online coordinate meetings, instead. Hiring these moving services also reduces the need for moving trucks due to their organizational and downsizing skills.
Downsizing may begin with the manager photographing the whole house and sending it to the family. Everyone can come together to decide who keeps what.
Once everyone has divided their belongings, the organizer can rehome the other items as best as possible. Unwanted items may go to charity donations and estate sales.
These experts often recoup costs via discounted rates from partner organizations, like appraisers and cleaners. You can count on the movers to handle practically every aspect of the assisted living transition.
They Help You Feel in Control
Life-changing events can feel like they're happening to you with little input. Senior relocation is a huge change, with you moving from one home and neighborhood to another.
Moving managers can make their clients feel like they're in charge of the moving process. You have input on what happens to your things and can help organize as you see fit.
You don't have to worry about someone misplacing or throwing away that old box of family photos. Moving experts also have experience dealing with seniors suffering from cognitive decline.
A third party can also keep things on track. Emotions often run high during any move. A senior moving service will help you and your family stay objective.
Simplifying Senior Relocation
Senior moving services can make the transition to assisted living easier for you and your family. Hiring senior move managers can make the process less stressful and cheaper, and it gives you a feeling of control over the situation.
We can't help with the moving process beyond this article, but we can provide a new home with friendly staff and neighbors. Addington Place of Clinton provides housekeeping, maintenance, and ADL aid.
Residents can enjoy exercise classes, educational workshops, and recreational outings. We have a veteran's payment plan deducting half of each year's rent. Contact us to schedule a tour of our community in Clinton, IA.