Relocation Resources for Older Adults
When it comes to moving an entire home and all its contents, there is good reason to worry about scam artists and rip offs.
Caregivers and adult children of aging parents find themselves in a position to locate qualified resources to help with a pending move and it is often challenging to find truly professional service providers. This is particularly true when trying to help a parent who lives out-of-state. Fortunately, there are a growing number of professionals who have taken steps to better serve the senior market; improving their skills through national affiliations, training and certification programs.
Realtors:
The National Association of Realtors developed the Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) Program in 2006. There are currently about 20,000 SRES® Realtors in the U.S. You can recognize an SRES® by the designation that follows their name, or you may locate one at the SRES website. Above and beyond regular board certification, this subset of Realtors have been trained to understand the specific needs of older adult clients including housing options, transition resources, financing and other issues facing a later life move from a family home.
Movers:
In conjunction with government agencies, the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) launched their Pro Mover program in 2009 to help the consumer identify and steer clear of moving imposters, known within the industry as “rogue operators.” The Pro Mover designation gives consumers an easy way to separate reputable, professional movers from con artists out to make a quick buck at their expense. Individuals can determine if their interstate mover has been qualified by looking for the distinctive Pro Mover “M” logo on their business materials and website. The Pro Mover logo is only issued to companies that meet AMSA standards. You may also be contacted directly by a Pro Mover by using AMSA’s mover referral service.
Many state movers’ associations also have their own local programs to help qualify local movers. For more information contact your local mover’s association.
Full-Service Senior Relocation and Estate Liquidation Professionals
Caring Transitions® is the nation’s largest network of full-service relocation, move management and household liquidation professionals.
The organization was founded in 2007 and currently boasts nearly 200 independently-owned offices, serving over 500 U.S. markets. Every Caring Transitions® office has been fully vetted, trained and is industry Certified. Each fully-insured office is staffed with its own W2 employees, who also undergo background screening.
Caring Transitions complete menu of services includes relocation and space planning, sorting, organizing, downsizing, packing, unpacking and household goods liquidation, in the form of professional estate sale or online auction.
Within their expanded network, Caring Transitions® is also able to support families relocating coast-to-coast as easily as those moving within their own zip code. They also are able to coordinate the services of other professionals mentioned above, as well as financing services and VA benefits. You may find a Caring Transitions® office near you at the company website, www.CaringTransitions.com.
Clearly, as our society changes and the older generations grow even older, there is an important responsibility to establish qualified providers and specialized services to support them.
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