--- title: "Senior Moving Services: Who Does What in a Senior Move" description: "Senior moving services explained: move managers, senior movers, packers, estate sale companies and cleanout crews, what each does and how to line them up." url: https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/senior-moving-services/ updated: 2026-10-09 site: Senior Transition Assistance --- Downsizing and moving # Senior moving services: who does what, and how to line them up A senior move usually takes more than a truck. Here are the services families use, what each one does, and the order to line them up in. Talk it through with a person[ (800) 614-8388 ](tel:+18006148388) Free. We listen, explain your options, and introduce you to a few that fit. You decide. Quick answer Senior moving services include senior move managers (who plan and run the whole move), movers, packers and unpackers, estate sale and consignment companies, donation pickups, and cleanout crews for what's left. Many families hire a move manager to coordinate the rest. Start four to eight weeks before the move if you can. [(800) 614-8388](tel:+18006148388) and we'll connect you with senior moving help in the Kansas City area. **Last updated October 9, 2026** Costs are published medians or typical ranges with a named source, never quotes. Every community and agency prices differently. **On this page** 1. [ The services, and what each does](#g-the-services-and-what-each-does) 2. [The order that works](#g-the-order-that-works) 3. [Choosing movers for an older adult](#g-choosing-movers-for-an-older-adult) 4. [Making moving day easier for your parent](#g-making-moving-day-easier-for-your-parent) 5. [Questions](#g-faq) ## The services, and what each does | Service | What it does | When you need it | |---|---|---| | Senior move manager | Plans and manages the whole move, sorting through setup | Big house, tight timeline, family far away | | Movers | Load, transport and unload | Every move | | Packers and unpackers | Pack carefully, then set up the new home | When your parent can't pack or the move is fast | | Estate sale company | Prices and sells what's left in the house | Lots of furniture and household goods of value | | Consignment or auction | Sells selected pieces | A few valuable items | | Donation pickup | Hauls usable items to charity | Usable items that won't sell | | Cleanout crew | Empties and cleans the house | What's left after everything else | ## The order that works 1. **Pick the date and the new home first**, and get its floor plan. 2. **Sort** what goes, what goes to family, and what stays behind. A [move manager](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/senior-move-manager/) can lead this. 3. **Book movers** early, especially at the end of the month. 4. **Move your parent** and set up the new place before tackling the house. 5. **Sell, donate and clear** the house with an [estate sale](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/estate-sales/) and [cleanout](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/estate-cleanout/). 6. **List the house** once it's empty and clean. ## Choosing movers for an older adult - Get written estimates from more than one company. - Ask whether they have experience moving people into senior living, where elevators, loading docks and move-in times may be scheduled. - Ask about insurance and how they handle damage. - For moves across state lines, check the mover's federal registration. ## Making moving day easier for your parent - Set up the bedroom and bathroom first. - Keep medications, glasses, phone and a change of clothes in a bag that travels with your parent. - Consider having your parent spend moving day with family or at the new community, away from the chaos. - Hang familiar pictures right away. ### Want one person to coordinate it all? We'll connect you with move managers and senior moving help near your parent. Free. [ (800) 614-8388 ](tel:+18006148388)[Have us call you](#g-form) ## Questions families ask ### What is the difference between senior movers and regular movers? Senior movers or move managers add planning, sorting, packing and setup with an older adult's needs in mind. Regular movers mostly transport belongings. ### How far in advance should we plan a senior move? Four to eight weeks is comfortable for many moves; a full house may need longer. ### Who handles everything left in the house? Estate sale companies, donation pickups and cleanout crews, often coordinated by a move manager. ### Does Medicare pay for moving services? No. Moving services are private pay. ## Sources - [National Association of Senior and Specialty Move Managers (NASMM): FAQs](https://www.nasmm.org/faqs/) ## Related guides - [Downsizing and moving](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/) - [Senior move managers](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/senior-move-manager/) - [Senior move manager costs](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/costs/senior-move-manager/) - [How to downsize](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/how-to-downsize/) - [Estate sales](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/estate-sales/) - [Downsizing checklist](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/downsizing-checklist/) - [Estate cleanout](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/estate-cleanout/) - [Moving tips for seniors](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/moving-tips-for-seniors/) - [Moving to assisted living checklist](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/moving-to-assisted-living-checklist/) --- Canonical page: https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/downsizing-and-moving/senior-moving-services/