If you are a senior considering a move to a retirement community, you may be a bit overwhelmed with the prospect of having to sell your home and all that comes with downsizing, moving and starting a new life.
You may be concerned – or even a little stressed – about the size of your new home and how you are going to fit your prized possessions, including family heirlooms, into a smaller space. You could be flooded with thoughts about the logistics of the move itself and don’t know where to start.
The best starting point to address these types of concerns is a conversation with Jacquie Stayner, the move-in coordinator for Independent Living at Freedom Village of Bradenton, a Life Care retirement community that has been serving seniors since 1987.
“My job is to take away the stress of moving,” said Jacquie.
“I work with seniors every day on the logistics of moving into a new place and the most important thing I do is listen. I listen to their concerns, respect the emotions and fears that may come with an important life transition, and we work together to come up with a plan.”
Jacquie explained that she works in tandem with the team of residency sales counselors to develop a plan that is personalized for each individual or couple.
“We provide a full range of services, from helping seniors preserve their prized possessions that may have been passed down through generations, to choosing the right-sized apartment or villa, to the paint colors and furnishings that are important to creating a beautiful home, and of course, the move itself.”
Jaquie explained that Freedom Village partners with Spirit Movers on every aspect of the move. “Spirit movers will use a blue-print of the floorplan of their new place and a software program to place the furniture, so future residents know not only what will fit, but where it works best.”
Freedom Village provides a “move-in credit” for all new residents that will generally cover most of the move-in expenses, including renovations such as new kitchen cabinets and counters, flooring and more.
“I’m the connection with new residents in our community and facilitate all of logistics of the transition,” said Jaquie. “The move-in process and renovations to customize a residence if it has not already been modernized usually takes about 90 days from closing to move-in”
“I stay in close communication throughout the entire process, with frequent phone calls, and I’ll send photos of the progress we are making to prepare a place to their specifications and tastes.”
Jacquie goes one or two steps further.
“I also help residents connect with their new neighbors,” she said. “I’ll help them meet people on their floor by making dinner reservations in one of our restaurants, connect them with people who enjoy the same activities like golfing, or going to the theatre, or exercise classes, whatever it may be that will help them transition into a new, less-stressful lifestyle at Freedom Village.”
“I love my job because I am able to help people get what they want and improve the quality of their lives and that’s important.”
For more tips on preparing for a move, or other topics of interest, visit our blog at fvbradenton.com/blog/packing-tips/
Freedom Village is launching a new Senior Singles Club that will begin with a kickoff event on Thursday, Oct. 27 from 3 to 5 p.m. at its’ on-campus Tuscany Restaurant. The singles club will meet monthly for social events and educational seminars to help seniors make new friends and have fun to overcome isolation and loneliness they may be experiencing.
Single Seniors Club at Freedom Village
KICKOFF EVENT
Thursday, October 27
3 to 5 p.m.
Tuscany Restaurant.
RSVP’s required.
Call today!
Freedom Village
941-798-8122 | www.fvbradenton.com
6406 21st Avenue West
Bradenton, FL 34209
*Life Care Services received the highest score in the J.D. Power 2019 Senior Living Satisfaction Study of resident/family member/friend’s satisfaction with senior living communities. Visit jdpower.com/awards