The conversation about moving usually takes months. The actual move? It can feel like it needs to happen overnight. Somewhere in between agreeing on the plan and handing over the house keys, there's a staggering amount of sorting, deciding, packing, and coordinating that most families aren't prepared for.
If your parent lives in the Marietta, GA or East Cobb area and is preparing to move to a smaller home or a senior living community, you should know that an entire ecosystem of professionals exists to help. Most families have never heard of most of them. Still weighing whether a move is the right step? Our guide compares staying at home vs. moving to senior living.
Here's a practical breakdown of who does what, what they cost, and how to find the right people.
What Does a Senior Move Manager Do?
A senior move manager is exactly what it sounds like: a project manager whose entire specialty is helping older adults relocate. But the scope of what they handle surprises most families.
A credentialed senior move manager will typically:
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Sort and declutter the entire house, room by room, working alongside your parent at their pace.
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Create a floor plan of the new space so furniture and belongings are chosen before the move, not after.
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Coordinate movers, donation pickups, and disposal services.
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Oversee packing and moving day logistics.
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Set up the new space so it's fully livable on night one: bed made, bathroom stocked, kitchen essentials unpacked.
That last point matters more than people realize. Walking into a new space that already feels comfortable and familiar can make an enormous emotional difference for a parent who's leaving a place they've lived for decades.
Senior move managers typically charge either by the hour or as a flat project fee for the full move. The total cost depends on the size of the house, the volume of belongings, and how much coordination is involved.
To find a credentialed professional near East Cobb, GA or surrounding areas like Smyrna, Woodstock, or Alpharetta, search the directory at the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM). Members follow a code of ethics and carry liability insurance, two things you'll want to confirm before hiring anyone.
How Do You Decide Where Each Belonging Goes?
Once your parent has decided what's coming to the new space, everything else needs somewhere to go. The right service depends on what you're dealing with.
Estate sale companies work best when you have a full household of items with resale value: furniture, kitchenware, art, tools, and collectibles. A reputable company will price, display, advertise, and manage the sale over one to three days, usually taking a commission of 30–40 percent. Get that commission structure in writing before you sign anything.
Auction houses are worth contacting if your parent owns genuinely valuable individual pieces, such as fine art, antiques, or rare collections. A local auction house in the Marietta or Dunwoody area can appraise items and advise whether auction will net a better return than a general estate sale.
Consignment shops are a good option for furniture in solid condition that may not sell quickly at an estate sale. Many consignment stores throughout Cumberland, Vinings, and the broader Cobb County area accept quality pieces and pay the seller once they're sold.
Online resale platforms (Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or specialty sites for categories like vintage clothing or vinyl records) work well for smaller, shippable, or niche items that might attract a broader audience than a local sale.
Donation pickup services are the fastest option when speed matters more than return. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity ReStore, The Salvation Army, and local nonprofits serving the Acworth, Towne Lake, and Kennesaw areas will often pick up furniture and household goods at no charge.
What Services Do Families Forget to Arrange?
Beyond sorting and selling, several specialized services tend to fall through the cracks until a family is mid-move and scrambling.
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Photo and slide digitizing: Boxes of old photos, slides, and home videos can be converted to digital files by scanning services. This preserves memories without requiring your parent to keep dozens of physical albums.
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Document shredding: A lifetime of tax returns, bank statements, medical records, and old insurance paperwork needs secure disposal. Mobile shredding companies will come directly to the house.
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Jewelry and collectibles appraisal: Before selling or donating jewelry, coins, or collectibles, hire an independent appraiser. This small investment can prevent a major loss, especially for items whose value isn't obvious.
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Junk removal: After the estate sale wraps up and donations are picked up, there's almost always a remaining pile that nobody wants. Junk removal services handle what nothing else will take, including broken furniture, outdated electronics, and garage debris.
How Do You Protect Your Parent When Hiring Help?
Most of the professionals in this space are trustworthy. But your parent's home is full of valuable belongings and sensitive documents, so basic vetting is essential.
For any vendor:
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Ask for at least two references from recent clients.
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Confirm they carry proof of insurance (general liability at minimum).
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Get the scope of work and pricing in writing before they start.
For estate sale companies specifically:
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Ask for their commission structure in writing.
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Clarify who is responsible for unsold items.
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Be cautious of anyone who offers to buy the contents of the home outright before an independent appraisal. This is a common way families lose money on valuable items they didn't realize they had.
Seniors and their families are frequent targets for scams. Here's how to recognize common tactics.
If family members are splitting responsibilities and disagreements come up about what to keep, sell, or donate, know that those tensions are normal. If siblings are divided on the bigger care decisions driving this move, these steps can help you find common ground.
Where Should You Start Looking for Help?
When you're looking for vetted professionals in the Marietta, East Cobb, or broader metro Atlanta area, skip the open web search and start here instead:
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Your county Area Agency on Aging (Cobb County Senior Services is a strong local resource).
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Local senior centers in Marietta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, or Dunwoody. Many maintain referral lists of move managers, estate sale companies, and other vendors they've worked with.
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The NASMM directory at nasmm.org for credentialed senior move managers.
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Your parent's doctor, social worker, or faith community. These contacts often know who's reliable in the area.
Starting with a vetted list saves time and reduces the risk of hiring someone who isn't right for the job.
Downsizing a parent's home is one of the most labor-intensive parts of a senior care transition, but it doesn't have to fall entirely on your shoulders. The right professionals can turn a months-long family project into a managed process with a clear finish line. Start with one call to a senior move manager, and the rest of the plan will follow from there.
If your parent is moving to a senior living community, our free moving checklist covers every step from paperwork to packing day.