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New term: Senior Move Specialist
Jul. 3rd, 2017 02:05 pmIt's quite possible I've seen this term before. But this is the first time I _remember_ sitting up and paying attention.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/06/04/baby-boomers-are-downsizing-and-kids-won-take-family-heirlooms/iP0yVeN49gLF55nq47M7gK/story.html
"Ellen Sullivan, director of operations for Andover- and Dedham-based Home Transition Resource, one of a growing number of firms in the booming field of “senior move management.”"
"The thriving industry is a symptom of the challenge. While the senior-move specialists assist older clients with the mundane aspects of moving — choosing a mover, say, or calling the cable company — they also play the role of family therapist, buffer, diplomat.
“We can help to soften the blow if the kids don’t want anything but are afraid to tell their parents,” said Kate Grondin, founder of Home Transition Resource. “We can shift the focus to how wonderful a donation would be.”"
"Unknown just a few decades ago, the field now has a trade group — the National Association of Senior Move Managers — that counts 950 member companies.
Prices in Boston average $75 to $100 an hour, according to the association."
I'll probably be back here editing this with more link-fu. I am enchanted by the idea of this industry and want to know more.
ETA:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/real-estate/2016/01/08/downsizing-fits-for-these-buyers-was-time-move/GYfJ5SNIg0lrNbHusnm0FN/story.html
Here, "Senior Move Manager".
"There are 37 senior-moving companies in Massachusetts alone, according to the nonprofit National Association of Senior Move Managers.
If you are weighing whether to downsize, you may benefit from hearing how these folks did it."
This article is more about the downsizing, less about the managers / specialists.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2014/06/28/downsizing-senior-move-managers-wants-help/vA1FXRzPOgWSgchXEzKsdP/story.html
"These managers call in estate appraisers and trash collectors, antique dealers and electricians. For their more elderly clients, they study the floor plans of assisted-living apartments and find tactful ways to explain that there simply won’t be room for that recliner bought on sale at Jordan Marsh in 1962."
"Jennifer Pickett, a spokeswoman for the National Association of Senior Move Managers, estimates the average fee is $40 to $60 per hour but says rates in the Boston area may be up to twice as expensive."
The website for the professional organization: https://www.nasmm.org/
ETAYA: A South Dakota firm that does both professional organizing and senior move management is expanding from Rapid City to Sioux Falls.
http://www.argusleader.com/story/news/business-journal/2017/06/20/r-c-company-expands-sioux-falls-moving-organizing-business/409955001/
Charlotte NC, a slightly different set of services offered by "senior real estate specialists". The move manager will help you figure out which / how your furniture will fit into your assisted living apartment and help you empty the rest of your four bedroom colonial ... somehow. The real estate specialist will help you figure out _where_ you are going next and may help with some of the other stuff. I think.
A Virginian realtor explains a bit more about what this kind of realtor might be able to help with: https://pilotonline.com/life/home/you-your-home-and-prepping-for-independence-days/article_170aae96-ab89-5e5e-bba4-f8881978feff.html
OK, so, logically, we want to now see an article doing the compare/contrast, amirite?
http://organizeanddownsize.com/senior-move-managers-and-senior-real-estate-specialists/
People who know me are waiting with bated breath: when will she identify books on topic to read?
If you are thinking, wow, this is what happens when people have only a few kids but enough money to pay for a high level of service quality, well, I couldn't agree more.
Ahem. Now, down to the fun part! Quoting with intent.
"Without a senior move manager, the first instinct of some adult children is to grab a box of garbage bags to get rid of things over a weekend. That’s not serving a parent with dignity. People have a lifetime of possessions. They should be disposed of with the same sort of thoughtfulness with which they were acquired."
I don't understand the argument being presented. But I will say this: apparently, supportive language and a deliberate pace are a big chunk of what the hourly fee buys you.
"Who’s really the client of a senior move manager?
The client is the person in transition, even if the adult child makes the call or is the one paying. When possible, we want the older adult to do all the decision-making."
It's like the aging parents are finally getting revenge for the wedding planning / payment situation a couple decades earlier in the family.
"What are the misconceptions about this industry?
That it costs a lot of money to hire someone. The bulk of our member companies charge between $60 and $80 an hour. The total bill is usually no more than $2,500."
Either they are _really_ good at what they do, or the process of paying $80/hour really brings it all home to people over the course of that week.
Oh, and there are a _shocking_ number of books on this topic at Amazon.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/06/04/baby-boomers-are-downsizing-and-kids-won-take-family-heirlooms/iP0yVeN49gLF55nq47M7gK/story.html
"Ellen Sullivan, director of operations for Andover- and Dedham-based Home Transition Resource, one of a growing number of firms in the booming field of “senior move management.”"
"The thriving industry is a symptom of the challenge. While the senior-move specialists assist older clients with the mundane aspects of moving — choosing a mover, say, or calling the cable company — they also play the role of family therapist, buffer, diplomat.
“We can help to soften the blow if the kids don’t want anything but are afraid to tell their parents,” said Kate Grondin, founder of Home Transition Resource. “We can shift the focus to how wonderful a donation would be.”"
"Unknown just a few decades ago, the field now has a trade group — the National Association of Senior Move Managers — that counts 950 member companies.
Prices in Boston average $75 to $100 an hour, according to the association."
I'll probably be back here editing this with more link-fu. I am enchanted by the idea of this industry and want to know more.
ETA:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/real-estate/2016/01/08/downsizing-fits-for-these-buyers-was-time-move/GYfJ5SNIg0lrNbHusnm0FN/story.html
Here, "Senior Move Manager".
"There are 37 senior-moving companies in Massachusetts alone, according to the nonprofit National Association of Senior Move Managers.
If you are weighing whether to downsize, you may benefit from hearing how these folks did it."
This article is more about the downsizing, less about the managers / specialists.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2014/06/28/downsizing-senior-move-managers-wants-help/vA1FXRzPOgWSgchXEzKsdP/story.html
"These managers call in estate appraisers and trash collectors, antique dealers and electricians. For their more elderly clients, they study the floor plans of assisted-living apartments and find tactful ways to explain that there simply won’t be room for that recliner bought on sale at Jordan Marsh in 1962."
"Jennifer Pickett, a spokeswoman for the National Association of Senior Move Managers, estimates the average fee is $40 to $60 per hour but says rates in the Boston area may be up to twice as expensive."
The website for the professional organization: https://www.nasmm.org/
ETAYA: A South Dakota firm that does both professional organizing and senior move management is expanding from Rapid City to Sioux Falls.
http://www.argusleader.com/story/news/business-journal/2017/06/20/r-c-company-expands-sioux-falls-moving-organizing-business/409955001/
Charlotte NC, a slightly different set of services offered by "senior real estate specialists". The move manager will help you figure out which / how your furniture will fit into your assisted living apartment and help you empty the rest of your four bedroom colonial ... somehow. The real estate specialist will help you figure out _where_ you are going next and may help with some of the other stuff. I think.
A Virginian realtor explains a bit more about what this kind of realtor might be able to help with: https://pilotonline.com/life/home/you-your-home-and-prepping-for-independence-days/article_170aae96-ab89-5e5e-bba4-f8881978feff.html
OK, so, logically, we want to now see an article doing the compare/contrast, amirite?
http://organizeanddownsize.com/senior-move-managers-and-senior-real-estate-specialists/
People who know me are waiting with bated breath: when will she identify books on topic to read?
If you are thinking, wow, this is what happens when people have only a few kids but enough money to pay for a high level of service quality, well, I couldn't agree more.
Ahem. Now, down to the fun part! Quoting with intent.
"Without a senior move manager, the first instinct of some adult children is to grab a box of garbage bags to get rid of things over a weekend. That’s not serving a parent with dignity. People have a lifetime of possessions. They should be disposed of with the same sort of thoughtfulness with which they were acquired."
I don't understand the argument being presented. But I will say this: apparently, supportive language and a deliberate pace are a big chunk of what the hourly fee buys you.
"Who’s really the client of a senior move manager?
The client is the person in transition, even if the adult child makes the call or is the one paying. When possible, we want the older adult to do all the decision-making."
It's like the aging parents are finally getting revenge for the wedding planning / payment situation a couple decades earlier in the family.
"What are the misconceptions about this industry?
That it costs a lot of money to hire someone. The bulk of our member companies charge between $60 and $80 an hour. The total bill is usually no more than $2,500."
Either they are _really_ good at what they do, or the process of paying $80/hour really brings it all home to people over the course of that week.
Oh, and there are a _shocking_ number of books on this topic at Amazon.
