Senior Move Managers Take the Stress Out of Downsizing

"Attic treasures" and all sorts of special and not-so-special collections accumulate year after year. Connie Chow discusses how to downsize with help from professional senior move managers.Clearing decades of memories is overwhelming Seniors have collected decades worth of wonderful memories, but that usually means their houses are overflowing with stuff. Most older adults will eventually move to a smaller place, live with relatives, or need to clear out the clutter for a safer living space. Even though everyone plans to carefully sort through their belongings, actually doing it is so overwhelming that most avoid it for as long as possible. That usually backfires when changes need to happen and you’re faced with a mountain of stuff. Senior move managers are experts who can help We talked with experts Julie Feldmann and Helen Ingwersen from T-O-P. Move Management to find out how senior move managers can help. Senior move managers are specialists who help your older adult clear out a lifetime of belongings. They’re experts who can take care of the entire job from start to finish, if you want. They also know local movers, real estate agents, cleaners, and other useful services and can refer you to the people they trust to do a great job. If your senior is moving, senior move managers create a floor plan of the new place. This makes sure furniture will actually fit and the living space is safe and pleasant. They even take into account where the electrical outlets are located! Senior move managers can help with:

• Sorting
• Giving heirlooms to family or friends
• Donating or selling items
• Cleaning and disposal of trash
• Packing & unpacking
• Realistic floor and space planning

When should seniors downsize or declutter? Ideally, everyone should start right away even if a move won’t happen for a while. If your senior is staying in their home, decluttering now helps them age safely in their homes. This is especially important if your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia. Sorting through years of memories is draining. It’s best to do it in small chunks, over time. Since this is the most stressful task, a senior move manager can either do it for you, with you, or create a plan to break the work into manageable pieces. Help at the last minute If your senior needs to move on short notice, hiring a senior move manager will save you time and headache. They focus everyone on the most important things to get done and take tasks like finding and scheduling movers and other services off your to do list. Bottom line If you’re worried about how much stuff your older adult has, consider talking with a senior move manager. Successfully clearing out clutter or getting expert help with a move reduces stress as well as saves valuable time and energy. Next Step > Find a senior move manager in your area By Connie Chow, Contributing Writer and Founder of DailyCaringImage: Organize with Sandy