Trusted Network
Caring Transitions
Contact: Alan Hirsh
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Senior Move Managers
Hands-on help downsizing, sorting, packing, and settling into a new home — so the transition is manageable for your whole family.
Also known as: Senior relocation specialists, Downsizing specialists, Transition specialists, Senior relocation services
Who this is for
Is this what you're looking for?
Here are a few situations where families turn to this kind of help.
There's a lifetime of belongings and no idea where to start
Your mom is moving from a four-bedroom house to a one-bedroom in assisted living. She has 40 years of belongings and no capacity to manage the process herself. Neither do you.
You can't take weeks off to manage a move
You live three states away and can't be there to oversee everything. You need someone local who can manage the entire process with care and keep you informed throughout.
The logistics are paralyzing the decision to move
Your dad agreed it's time to move closer to you, but every time you discuss the details — what to keep, what to give away, how to pack decades of memories — the conversation stalls.
There are many more situations where this kind of support makes sense. If you're not sure whether it's the right fit, searching is a good first step.
What to expect
What working with a senior move manager looks like
$1.5–5k
typical cost
4–8 wks
ideal lead time
NASMM
credential to seek
Full or
partial service
Senior move managers handle the physical and emotional logistics of downsizing and relocating an older adult. They're different from standard movers — they specialize in transitions, not just transportation. Services typically include sorting and decluttering belongings, coordinating donations or estate sales, packing, overseeing the move, and setting up the new space so it feels like home from day one. Many are members of NASMM — the National Association of Senior Move Managers.
How tendercare vets
How tendercare vets these providers
Every provider in tendercare's Trusted Network completes a six-point vetting process — background checks, license and insurance verification, client references, and expert review. Membership is never sold; it's earned.
Never pay-to-play. Membership is earned.
Trusted network providers
Senior Move Managers near you
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Frequently asked questions
What families ask
Senior move managers handle the full logistics of downsizing and relocating an older adult — helping sort and decide what to keep, coordinating donations and estate sales, packing, overseeing the physical move, and unpacking and setting up the new home. They specialize in senior transitions, which are emotionally and logistically different from standard moves.
Standard movers transport belongings from point A to point B. Senior move managers handle everything around the move — deciding what to keep, donating or selling the rest, packing with care for items that have sentimental value, and making the new home feel familiar and comfortable. They're trained to work patiently with older adults and to manage the emotional weight of leaving a longtime home.
Costs typically range from $1,500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the size of the home, the volume of belongings, and how much support is needed. Some services are charged hourly; others as a flat project fee. Larger homes or long-distance moves are at the higher end. Most move managers offer a free consultation and written estimate before committing.
NASMM is the National Association of Senior Move Managers — a professional organization that sets ethical standards and best practices for the field. Members agree to a code of ethics and are required to carry liability insurance. While NASMM membership isn't a guarantee of quality, it's a meaningful baseline credential when evaluating providers.
Four to eight weeks of lead time is ideal for most moves. Larger homes, longer distances, or complex situations — including coordinating an estate sale — may need more. Starting early reduces stress significantly and gives everyone time to make thoughtful decisions about belongings. Good move managers often have waitlists during peak seasons.
Most senior move managers coordinate with estate sale companies, auction houses, donation organizations, or family members to handle items that won't make the move. Some have in-house relationships with these services; others will refer you to trusted local contacts. Ask specifically about this during your initial consultation — how leftovers are handled is one of the most important logistics questions.
Yes. Many senior move managers offer partial-service options — for example, helping with the sorting and donation coordination but not the physical move, or handling only the unpacking and setup at the new home. If budget is a constraint, ask about unbundled services. Even a few hours of professional guidance during the sorting phase can make the rest of the process significantly easier.
Experienced senior move managers understand that this isn't just a logistics project. Leaving a longtime home involves letting go of physical objects that carry decades of memory and identity. Good managers work at your loved one's pace, involve them in decisions wherever possible, and treat their belongings with genuine respect. Ask about this directly when you interview providers — how they answer tells you a lot.
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