Moving is always a challenge, but it can be especially difficult in your golden years. Sifting through decades of belongings, many of which have sentimental value, is emotionally taxing, but the practical demands can be even more problematic. Senior moving services make the process go much more smoothly. These services are designed to support older adults and families through the full relocation process, from early planning to settling into the new home. Depending on the company, they may provide hands-on help, coordination, or both. Here, we explain what senior moving services are, what they do, and how much they typically cost.
What are senior moving services?
Senior moving services offer support for seniors who are downsizing, simplifying their homes, or relocating to a new one, whether that’s a smaller home, independent living, assisted living, or another type of senior living community. These specialized relocation services differ from standard moving companies in that they often handle the entire transition, not just the physical move.
A senior moving service usually includes two types of professionals:
- Senior move managers, who handle planning and transition support.
- Professional movers, who handle packing, transport, and heavy lifting.
What do senior moving services do?
Senior moving services offer different types of support for all aspects of a move. Some allow you to choose which services you’d like, as some families only need help with downsizing and planning while others want full support from the first consultation through unpacking in the new home.
Typical services include:
- Planning, organizing, and scheduling every aspect of the move from start to finish.
- Helping you downsize according to what will fit into your new space.
- Arranging for getting rid of unwanted items through sales, donations, junk removal, and shipping.
- Arranging other services like storage, cleaning, and waste removal.
- Scheduling and communicating with movers.
- Safely packing and transporting your items.
- Unpacking boxes and setting up your new space.
- Connecting you with a realtor to sell your current home.
- Specialized services for local and long-distance moves.
In addition to logistical and physical help, one of the biggest things that sets senior moving services apart is the emotional support they offer you and your loved ones during the transition. Senior move managers bring patience, structure, and experience with family dynamics.
With their help, you and your family can focus on other things, including the emotional aspect of the move. You’ll also have more time to explore your new community, and your loved ones can be there for you throughout the day to offer emotional support instead of carrying boxes and moving heavy furniture.
How are senior moving services different from traditional movers?
The biggest difference between senior moving services and traditional movers is scope. Professional movers primarily handle the physical move, while senior moving services often support the entire transition process.
Senior moving services help before, during, and after move day. This can include planning, downsizing, organizing, coordinating vendors, helping families make decisions, and setting up the new home in a practical and familiar way. In many cases, the senior move manager works alongside a separate moving company or coordinates one.
Professional movers, on the other hand, usually focus on physical tasks such as packing, loading, transportation, unloading, and furniture reassembly.
Another difference is emotional and decision-making support. Senior-focused services are often designed for situations where the move involves a major life transition, such as leaving a longtime home, moving after a health change, or entering senior living. Families may choose senior moving services not just for convenience but because they need help managing the process itself.
With senior moving services, you still have control over your move, but you aren’t stuck being the one who has to coordinate and communicate with movers and others to make sure everything goes smoothly.
How much does it cost?
The cost of senior moving services depends on the details of your particular move. There is no single price because the total cost depends on how much support a family wants. Some families hire only movers for one day. Others hire a senior move manager for several weeks of planning, downsizing, and setup, plus movers for packing and transport.
Other factors that affect the cost include:
- Geographical location.
- Move distance.
- Home size.
- The amount and type of belongings.
- The amount of time required.
- The number of team members.
- Additional services like junk removal and cleanup.
Senior moving services costs typically include two buckets: the movers and the senior move manager. For the moving portion, Forbes Home reports that local moves can run about $600 to $3,500, while long-distance moves (around 1,000 miles) can range about $1,500 to $8,300, depending on shipment size and service level. For the senior move manager portion specifically, AARP says to expect about $60 to $120 per hour, with higher rates in the Northeast and California.
If cost is a concern, you can look for senior moving services that offer time packages. They include a set number of hours for a set amount, ensuring you stay within your budget.
Who should use a senior moving service
Senior moving services can help almost anyone, but they are especially useful when the move is physically demanding, emotionally overwhelming, or logistically complex. They are especially helpful for older adults with mobility limits, disabilities, or chronic health conditions who may struggle to sort belongings and pack safely. They are also helpful when downsizing into a smaller space, moving to an unfamiliar area, or working on a tight timeline, or for seniors who do not have local relatives to handle the details.
Tips for hiring a service
Before you hire anyone, clarify what “senior moving services” means for that specific provider. Many senior move managers focus on planning, downsizing, and coordination and then work with a separate moving company for packing and transport, while some companies provide both. Make sure you understand who is responsible for each step.
It also helps to look for a provider that truly specializes in senior transitions rather than a general moving company that lists “senior moves” among their services. The National Association of Senior and Specialty Move Managers (NASMM) is a good place to start when looking for an accredited move manager near you. If you have a senior moving specialist in mind, it’s a good idea to check that they are accredited by the NASMM before you hire them.
Get peace of mind with senior moving services
Hiring senior moving services can provide you with peace of mind throughout your move. These services support a major life transition. They can help families plan the move, sort and downsize belongings, coordinate logistics, and settle an older adult into a new home with less stress and confusion. They can make your new space feel like home the first time you walk through the door.
