Senior Moving Services: Housing Transition for Older Adults

It may be time for you to move, but you might not be sure where to begin with the process. The idea of taking everything you have collected over the years and downsizing can be emotionally overwhelming — not to mention the cost of moving. You will likely need some assistance, but where should you start?

It may be time to hire a senior move manager. Maybe you have never heard of a senior move manager, but this professional can help you move affordably and quickly while maintaining your dignity.

What Are Senior Move Managers?

A senior move manager is a professional who helps older adults and their families with housing transition. Your senior move manager can take charge of part or all aspects of your move.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Senior Move Manager?

Hiring a senior move manager has numerous benefits. Senior move managers help seniors and their families in the following ways:

Save Your Family Money

The cost of relocating includes more than just finding another place to live. You must factor in the costs of such things as moving trucks and cleaning services, in addition to hoping your property is not damaged during the process. Whenhiring a senior moving management company, you will receive an estimate for services. In many cases, you can lower your overall cost by customizing the moving services for your needs.

Save Your Family Time – and Stress

A senior move manager can help your family save time. Your children and other family members may want to help you move, but the logistics can be nearly impossible, especially if they live in different states. Having a person coordinating the arrangements between you and your family can reduce the stress of moving.

Help Seniors Downsize

As a person who may have lived in your home for many years, you likely have a house full of memories. A senior move manager can help you address the emotions that may arise when you let go of items that hold sentimental value by offering suggestions on how best to honor the life you have lived, just in a smaller space.

How Much Do Senior Move Management Services Cost?

The cost of hiring a senior move manager can vary depending on different factors. Some senior management service providers charge by the hour, some charge a flat rate, and other companies charge based on the service provided. To find a provider in your area, visit the National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers to find a move manager in your area.

Are There Programs That Help Cover the Cost of These Services?

Depending on the state, a Medicaid enrollee may have certain moving assistance expenses covered through a waiver. For example, select states have waivers in place that may help in providing “transitional assistance” to eligible seniors who are relocating to specific types of settings. According to the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), an increasing number of state Medicaid programs have been partnering with local housing agencies on housing-related services for enrollees.

If you have limited income, you may have a nonprofit or another local charitable organization available to assist with moving expenses. Find more information on potential resources near you that may offer financial assistance with relocation.

An elder law attorney near you can help prepare your family for a loved one's transition from living on their own to finding an assisted living or nursing home facility. They can review facility contracts and services and develop a long-term care plan by evaluating family finances to find the best ways to pay for care. If Medicaid is a possibility, they can guide you through the application process.