Movers, senior move managers? What is the difference?

Moving can be a daunting task for anyone, but it can be especially challenging for seniors. Downsizing a lifetime of belongings, packing, and relocating can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with the physical and emotional stress of moving. That’s where moving companies and senior move managers come in. While both can assist in the moving process, there are significant differences between the two.

Moving companies specialise in physically transporting your belongings from one location to another. They may provide packing services, loading and unloading trucks, and even storage options. Moving companies typically charge by the hour or weight and distance of your belongings.

On the other hand, senior move managers (SMMs) are professionals who specialise in helping seniors and their families navigate the emotional and logistical aspects of moving. SMMs offer a range of services to help seniors downsize, sort, and pack their belongings, coordinate the move, and set up the new home. They provide a holistic approach to moving that goes beyond just packing and transporting belongings.

Here are some of the key differences between moving companies and senior move managers:

Scope of Services

Moving companies focus on the physical aspects of moving, such as packing, loading, transporting, and unloading your belongings. They may also offer storage options. However, they generally do not provide services related to downsizing, organising, or setting up your new home.

Senior move managers, on the other hand, offer a wide range of services designed to help seniors and their families with all aspects of the move. They can assist with decluttering, sorting, and organising belongings, helping seniors decide what to keep, sell, or donate. They can also coordinate with movers and arrange to ship items to family members or storage facilities. Additionally, they can help seniors set up their new homes, including arranging furniture, hanging pictures, and unpacking boxes.

Specialised Training for senior move managers

Moving companies typically hire workers who have experience with packing and moving items. While they may receive some training on how to handle fragile items or use certain equipment, they do not typically have specialised training in working with seniors.

In contrast, senior move managers understand the emotional, physical, and logistical challenges that come with moving and are trained to provide support and guidance throughout the process.

Personalised Approach

Moving companies tend to take a one-size-fits-all approach to moving. They may offer various packages with pre-determined services, but they generally do not customise their approach based on individual needs.

Senior move managers, on the other hand, offer a highly personalised approach to moving. They work closely with seniors and their families to understand their unique needs and preferences and tailor their services accordingly. This can include helping seniors decide which items to keep, coordinating with family members who live out of town, and ensuring that the new home is set up in a way that meets the senior’s specific needs.

In conclusion, while both moving companies and senior move managers can assist with the moving process, senior move managers offer a more comprehensive approach that goes beyond just packing and transporting belongings. Whether you’re a senior looking to downsize and relocate, or a family member helping a loved one with the move, working with a senior move manager can help ensure a smoother and less stressful transition to a new home.

For more information about our senior move manager service, here are 7 reasons to hire one – click here.

Did you know that Clear Path Senior and Speciality Move Managers is a member of NASMM? The US organisation National Association of Senior Move Managers.