When Marlene Stocks first got into the business of helping older people through the tough transition of downsizing and relocating, most of her clients were in their 70s. Now the average client is in their mid-80s to upper 90s, says Stocks, whose company, Senior Transition Services, serves the Greater Philadelphia area, southern New Jersey and Florida. They've been postponing their move into retirement communities, and now they're less mobile, more dependent and often in a crisis-driven mode.

Stocks is a senior move manager, part of a new field that's grown up to respond to the increasing number of Americans who need help with this difficult and emotionally fraught life transition. Their adult children – if there are any – may live a plane ride or at least a few hours' drive away. The children are often part of the so-called sandwich generation, spread thin among their careers, spouse and own children, with little time to actually see that it's getting more and more difficult for their parents to take care of themselves or their home.

When the phone call comes saying that there's a problem, Stocks says, everyone basically is in turmoil.

Getting Ahead of Trouble

That's why it's best to call in a senior move manager (SMM) before the crisis occurs. Some of the issues that signal it's time to take action:

• Weather woes. Summer heat and icy pathways can trigger a crisis; how a senior responds to them can signal trouble about to happen. If you notice that a senior stays home, worried that he or she cannot get out safely – or tries to leave and begins to suffer minor falls or other accidents – pay attention. Either situation will make it hard for seniors to get the food and medications they need.
• Alertness issues. Is a senior having a harder time taking the laundry downstairs to the washing machine or maneuvering steps? Can he or she see well enough to notice a curb? These are other risks a fall can happen. Is your family member aware and alert, not just on the phone – where it's easy to camouflage problems – but in person?
• Dietary changes. As people age, they tend to take less interest in food, especially if they have to prepare it themselves. Weight loss can indicate that a senior can't reach down to get a frying pan or that arthritis makes it painful to chop and stir up a meal.

All of these issues exacerbate the difficulty many elderly people have in making the numerous decisions involved in downsizing, let alone the physical tasks of packing or disposing of their belongings. Some elders may have the insight to realize what's happening and make the decision to start the process on their own; others may need the intervention of family members.

If possible, it's best to start the downsizing process at least six months before an estimated moving date – ideally, don't wait for a triggering event to begin to declutter. Someone who hasn't moved in 40 years needs to downsize more than once, points out Jennifer Pickett, associate executive director of the National Association of Senior Move Managers. The decisions are overwhelming to the entire family – not just the senior but the adult children who are watching their childhood disappear. Pickett notes, Everyone needs time for second thoughts.

Being in a hurry not only causes emotional pain; it can also cost money if families put belongings in storage because they don't have time to decide how to distribute them. Starting early and working through an orderly process with a SMM can help avoid costly storage fees.

Check Before You Sign Up

A few caveats when choosing a SMM:

• Beware of scam movers. Seniors are attractive prey for con artists, and never more so than during the turmoil of a move – especially if there's no adult child to look out for them. Don't assume that a legitimate company is behind a professional-looking website; check the business license number. Ask all SMMs for at least three references and contact them. Choose SMMs who are members of the National Association of Senior Move Managers, whose training and ethics guidance makes it the gold standard for senior transition services.
• Ask about insurance. Insurance is a big thing, says Pickett. Will the SMM use employees or independent contractors? Will he or she be doing the actual packing and unpacking or overseeing movers who do? Make sure you have a written contract that outlines the SMM's liability and insurance coverage.
• Avoid costly surprises. Based on an initial, free consultation, a good SMM will be able to provide an estimate of how much the move will cost, either as a ballpark figure or broken down in a menu of services. Most SMMs charge by the hour: The national average is between $40 and $60, but expect to pay more in urban areas and on the east coast. While SMMs don't handle the actual move, they can interview, schedule and oversee the movers. Many moving companies determine the price by the weight of the items being moved; others calculate cost by the number of boxes and type of furniture. Make sure to get a written contract. You may also want to include the caveat Not to exceed X amount of dollars to avoid being overcharged if your belongings go over a certain weight.

The Bottom Line

Helping an aged parent downsize and move – especially in the wake of a health crisis – can be financially costly and emotionally exhausting for both parents and children. Engaging a senior move manager well before there's an emergency can make the process go more smoothly and save money. For more information about this new field, see Senior Move Managers: An Overview.