Are you staring at decades of belongings and wondering how to make a move without losing your mind or momentum? If you are an older homeowner or helping a parent on the South Shore, the decisions, timelines, and emotions can pile up fast. You deserve a plan and a partner who knows the steps. In this guide, you will learn what a senior move manager does, when to hire one, how they coordinate vendors, and how to choose the right fit for your move. Let’s dive in.

What a senior move manager is

A senior move manager is a professional who plans, coordinates, and often performs the many non-medical tasks involved in downsizing, relocating, or sorting an older adult’s household. They blend project management, organizing, and logistics with an understanding of the emotional side of change.

They are different from other pros you may hire:

• Movers transport your goods. Senior move managers plan, sort, prepare, and oversee movers.
• Realtors list and sell homes. Senior move managers prepare the home and manage belongings to support that process.
• Geriatric care managers focus on health and care plans. Senior move managers focus on possessions and the move itself.

The National Association of Senior Move Managers sets best-practice guidance and offers training. You can ask about membership, background checks, bonding and insurance, and references when you interview providers.

Core services you can expect

Most senior move managers offer a structured process that removes guesswork and stress. Typical services include:

• Initial consultation and a written plan with inventory, timeline, and scope.
• Sorting and decision-making with you or your loved one: keep, sell, donate, or discard.
• Packing and labeling household goods for the move.
• Coordination and scheduling with licensed movers.
• Unpacking and setup in the new home, including furniture placement and organization.
• Space planning and floor plans to right-size belongings to the new space.
• Communication with family and professionals such as realtors and attorneys.
• Donations and estate dispersal, including pickups, estate sales, and auction coordination.
• Final clean-out and turnover to your realtor or the next owner.

Additional services many firms offer

Some firms tailor services to your situation. Options can include:

• Full-service packing and unpacking.
• Partial help, such as packing fragile items only.
• Hazardous-item disposal with licensed vendors.
• Coordination for specialty needs like piano movers, art shippers, appliance or medical equipment handling.
• Digital and paperwork organization for photos and important documents.
• Staging support in partnership with your realtor or a stager.
• Post-move follow-up to clear remaining items.

What is not included

Senior move managers do not provide medical care or legal advice. Moving labor, storage, disposal, and third-party vendor charges are usually separate from the senior move manager’s fees.

When to hire one

Hiring at the right time keeps your move calm and predictable. Common triggers include:

• Right-sizing from a single-family home to a smaller place or assisted living.
• A recent hospitalization or a new diagnosis that prompts a change in housing.
• The loss of a spouse or caregiver, when emotional and logistical support is essential.
• Family living far away or unable to manage the details.
• Preparing a home for sale so it shows well and sells smoothly.

Recommended lead times

• Planned downsizing: begin 2 to 6 months before move day to allow for sorting, sale scheduling, and staging.
• Moves tied to real estate: engage at listing or as preparations start, often 3 to 8 weeks before showings.
• Urgent moves after hospitalization: hire as soon as placement is confirmed. Timelines can be compressed into days or weeks, though service options may narrow and costs may be higher.
• If you are out of the area: contact a senior move manager early to scope needs and secure vendors.

Vendor coordination on the South Shore

Senior move managers act as your single point of contact, which reduces missteps and delays. On the South Shore, many providers serve multiple towns, and seasonal peaks can impact scheduling.

Here is what strong coordination looks like:

• Booking licensed movers and professional packers, with confirmed insurance and service area coverage.
• Scheduling estate sale firms, auctioneers, and consignment pickups, which often require weeks of lead time.
• Lining up donation pickups or municipal services, which may have fixed routes and appointment windows.
• Managing junk removal, salvage, or specialty handlers for pianos, antiques, fine art, or medical equipment.
• Timing cleaners, minor repairs, and stagers between large-item removal and professional photos.
• Staying aligned with your realtor, real estate attorney, and any assisted living move-in staff.

Example timelines you can follow

Every move is unique, but these common workflows show how a senior move manager keeps things on track.

Planned downsizing to a condo (3 to 4 months)

1. Start with a consultation, home inventory, and a floor plan for the new condo.
2. Create a phased plan to keep, sell, donate, or discard. Flag high-value items for appraisal and sale.
3. Coordinate with your realtor’s staging timeline and schedule estate sale or consignment pickups 3 to 4 weeks before listing.
4. Book cleaning and minor repairs after large items leave and before professional photos.
5. Schedule licensed movers. The senior move manager packs fragile items and oversees move day.
6. Unpack and set up the new home using the floor plan. Donate or remove leftovers.

Urgent move after a hospital stay (7 to 14 days)

1. Begin with a rapid intake call to confirm the destination and constraints.
2. Prioritize essentials and pack a first-day box with medications, documents, and personal items.
3. Coordinate discharge planners, assisted living staff, and licensed movers on a tight schedule.
4. Arrange expedited donations or junk removal for non-essentials. Document remaining items for family review.
5. Follow up after the move to finish sorting and dispersal.

How senior move managers reduce friction

Your senior move manager keeps everyone in sync so you do not have to. They provide written timelines, inventories, and floor plans so movers and storage teams know what to expect. They coordinate with realtors and attorneys for closings, and they manage family communication to avoid duplicate requests or billing confusion.

Costs and how to budget

Pricing varies by region and scope. Senior move managers may charge hourly, flat project fees, or a blend of both. The size of the home, volume of possessions, travel time, and whether full packing and unpacking are included all affect the total.

Expect separate charges for mover labor, storage, estate sale commissions, and disposal fees. Urgent timelines can increase costs due to rush scheduling. Ask for a written estimate early, and secure two to three quotes from senior move managers, movers, and estate-sale vendors so you can compare scope and value.

A smart hiring checklist

Use these questions to interview senior move managers and choose with confidence:

• What is your business name, address, and how long have you been operating?
• Are you a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers? What training or certifications do you have?
• Do you carry liability insurance and bonding? Can you provide certificates?
• Do you conduct background checks? Are staff employees or subcontractors?
• What services are included, and what will be billed separately? Can I get a written estimate and contract?
• How do you handle valuables, appraisals, and estate-sale arrangements?
• Can you provide references, especially from South Shore clients or realtors?
• What is your availability and timeline for our move?
• How do you handle disputes, damage claims, or delays?

Contract and documentation tips

Protect your family and your timeline by getting it all in writing:

• A clear scope of work with deliverables, timeline, and payment terms.
• Liability details for goods during packing and transport. Movers typically carry transport insurance.
• Decision-making authority documented for donations, sales, and disposal.
• An itemized final invoice that separates senior move manager labor from third-party charges.

Ethical and legal safeguards

Most providers operate with integrity, but it pays to be cautious. Watch for:

• Pressure to sell possessions quickly without documentation.
• Lack of transparency around commissions or estate-sale proceeds.
• Weak chain-of-custody records for estate items.
• Potential conflicts when one firm both manages the move and operates the consignment or estate sale. Ask for disclosures.

South Shore resource signposts

Finding trusted help is easier when you know where to look. Start with the National Association of Senior Move Managers directory, your local Councils on Aging and senior centers, and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs for community programs. The local Better Business Bureau and town consumer affairs offices can help you check complaints and licensing. Your realtor can also share vetted partners and timeline advice.

How a real estate partner fits in

When your move also involves selling a home, a coordinated team matters. As a boutique South Shore brokerage with senior-focused credentials, the Juli Ford Group pairs premium listing marketing with thoughtful move-management coordination. You get floor-plan driven right-sizing, vendor orchestration for staging and clean-out, and a sale strategy designed for timing your move and maximizing value. The goal is simple: protect your time, reduce stress, and help you and your family move forward with dignity.

Ready to take the next step?

If you are starting to plan a move or helping a parent, talking early can save weeks of stress. We can outline a right-sized plan, introduce senior move managers who fit your needs, and map your timeline around a sale or lease start date. Start your next chapter with confidence by connecting with Juli Ford.

FAQs

What does a senior move manager do for an older adult?

• They plan and manage downsizing, sorting, packing, coordinating movers, and setting up the new home while supporting the emotional side of the transition.

When should I hire a senior move manager on the South Shore?

• For planned downsizing, start 2 to 6 months ahead; for moves tied to home sales, begin 3 to 8 weeks before showings; for urgent moves, hire as soon as placement is confirmed.

How much does a senior move manager cost in general?

• Costs vary by scope and timeline, with separate charges for mover labor, storage, estate-sale commissions, and disposal; request written estimates from multiple providers.

Who is liable if something is damaged during the move?

• Liability usually depends on who handled the item and contract terms; movers typically carry transport insurance and senior move managers should carry liability insurance.

Can a senior move manager handle valuables and appraisals?

• Many coordinate appraisers and reputable sellers or auctioneers, but they do not appraise items themselves unless specially trained; request documentation for high-value items.

Are senior move manager services covered by Medicare or insurance?

• Generally no, since services are non-medical; limited assistance may exist through veterans’ programs or local elder services, so check community resources.