Growing older can be a time of significant transition. A time that results in having to wade through unknown territory, some of which may relate to a change in your loved one’s living situation. The good news is that there are now organizations dedicated to helping this challenging time be, well, a little less challenging. One of these is the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM).
Who are senior move managers?
Senior Move Managers are professionals who assist in the downsizing or moving process for those who are elderly. They specialize in minimizing the moving trauma that plagues both those who are being moved and family members or loved ones involved in the moving process. In addition to addressing the emotional aspects of change, they also assist with the logistics.
When might you need a senior move manager?
There are many situations in which having a senior move manager can make a world of difference, and not all of them even involve changing homes. Just a few examples in which senior move management may be useful include:
- Planning and coordinating a move to a smaller home or an assisted living facility. This includes hiring movers in addition to things like packing and unpacking boxes.
- Downsizing possessions so a loved one can more easily move in with their family.
- Evaluating and subsequently reducing home safety hazards.
Why are senior move managers important?
Just think about all the stress moving can bring when you’re young. Then consider how much more stressful this transition can be when the individual who’s moving has accumulated a lifetime of possessions, didn’t choose to move, or feels as though they’re losing their independence.
Relocation Stress Syndrome (RSS) is something that has been found to affect people of all ages as a result of a move, including the elderly. RSS can negatively affect those in all moving situations, whether they’re transitioning to an assisted living facility or just a smaller, more manageable home. Those who encounter RSS may experience symptoms such as exhaustion, anxiety, or depression.
Minimizing RSS can be accomplished by utilizing senior move managers with a background in the following:
- Involving the senior in decisions that will affect where they live and the move to this new location.
- Maintaining the senior’s daily routine as much as possible throughout the process.
- Ensuring the senior is comfortable and safe in their new space.
Why not take on the work yourself?
You may be asking, why do I need to hire someone to take on these tasks? Why can’t I just do them myself?
Well, there are a few things that may hinder your ability to do so, both practically and emotionally:
- Often, family members are geographically dispersed across the country or even across the world. It doesn’t necessarily make financial (or any other type of) sense to relocate to your elderly family member’s area to take care of the tasks associated with downsizing or with a move.
- A lifetime of belongings is not easily sorted through. Older adults have often collected countless sentimental items throughout the years. Items that hold meaning to you as well. It can be helpful to have an unbiased individual assist your family member in sorting through cherished memories.
- You may be an older adult yourself. If this is the case, you might not have the physical stamina needed to pack and unpack a houseful of belongings. Even if you’re a young spring chicken, you may not have the time or energy! Moving is difficult work.
Why should you utilize the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM)?
The NASMM is a premier membership organization for senior move managers. Members must meet a strict set of requirements that ensure you don’t have to spend copious amounts of time filtering through potential candidates.
The NASMM is also an incredible knowledge base surrounding senior move management. They have resources such as a curated list of questions to ask when hiring a manager, a comprehensive guide to “rightsizing” and relocation, and a search tool you can use to find senior move managers in your area. To learn more about all things senior move management, visit their website.
For additional organizations, we think you may find helpful during this time of transition, visit our community resources page.