Who actually helps with the sorting, packing, and moving for a senior?
Answered by Chris Deutsch, Founder & Editor
Licensed Minnesota Realtor #20382264 ·
The short answer
There's a whole profession for this, and most households don't find out until they're drowning: senior move managers. They run the move like a stage manager runs a play — sorting alongside your parent at a humane pace, planning the new floor layout so the furniture that matters actually fits, coordinating movers, and unpacking until the new place has the photos on the wall the first night.
On stage The 60-second answer
Captions on · Transcript below
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Chris's video answer is on its way. Until then, the short answer above says the same thing.
The transcript posts with the video.
The longer answer
Typical cost runs $65 to $125 an hour, and total bills land in the low thousands depending on how much help you want. For a long-distance family, they're worth every dollar — they're the hands you can't be. The national association (NASMM) lists vetted ones, and I keep my own short list of people who do this gently in the Twin Cities.
Want the list? Just ask. No strings on it.
The next department over
What people in this spot usually ask next.
- Senior transitionsShould we sell the house before or after Mom moves to the community?Read the answer
- Senior transitionsHow do estate sales work, and are they actually worth it?Read the answer
- Senior transitionsThe house has been so quiet since my husband died. Will moving actually help?Read the answer
- Senior transitionsI lost my husband last year. Is it too soon to sell the house?Read the answer
- Inheritance & probateHow do we even start clearing out 50 years of our parents' lives?Read the answer
- Inheritance & probateI feel like I'm betraying my parents by selling their house.Read the answer
From the editor's desk
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