I have been reading a number of articles that sing the praises of senior move management companies. During the past several years there has been a huge influx of people entering into this aspect of the senior living industry. These organizations don’t act as the actual movers. They are actually general contractors who will hire the moving company, sort out which items the senior will take to their new home, and donate the excess items to charity.
As a senior living advisor who has been in the business for seven years, I know which organizations are reputable. pleas be advised that there is currently no organization who grants accreditation to these organizations and there is no “good housekeeping seal of approval.” I encourage you to do your due diligence in researching these organizations lest you have an experience like the one I will relate in my Real Life Story.
Real Life Story
I was contacted to act as a Power Of Attorney For Healthcare for an elderly woman with memory issues. She was exhibiting signs mod mid-stage dementia. She lived alone in an apartment and meal preparation and medication reminders became an issue for her. She vehemently resisted moving out of her apartment. Her former Power Of Attorney For Healthcare had assisted her in selected an independent living community that was not appropriate for her. Unfortunately, I was not hired to help with the placement and it was too late to interrupt a move she was resisting.
The independent living community recommended a senior move management company to sort through her possessions, choose the furniture pieces to be moved, and donate the remaining items to charity. I had not worked with this moving management company previously.
I met my client the day before she was supposed to move. I made it a point to look around the apartment and make a mental inventory of her furniture. Being an antique collector, my eyes were fixed on a pair of small tables that were painted in gold leaf and covered with marble tops. They were undoubtedly worth a lot of money. I mentioned to her attorney that it would be nice if she could take them to her new retirement community. he made the suggestion to his assistant who was helping with the transition. I also saw some statuettes of value and requested they be transported to the new home as well.
Several days later, I went to visit my client. Much to my dismay and horror, only the bed and the cheapest items of furniture had been transported. the tables and statuettes were missing. I placed a call to the attorney’s assistant to ask what happened to the tables and statues.
I was told the tables were too heavy and they had no way to lift and move them. Isn’t that a movers job to deal with those sorts of issues? Furthermore, my client was never given a receipt for a charitable deduction to apply toward her taxes. the phrase “mysterious disappearance,” has taken on new meaning. Need I say more?