Assisted Living Community

  • August 01, 2018

A couple of years ago I worked with a lovely couple who wanted to move into an assisted living community. Before retirement, the Danvers’s (not their real name) had worked together as partners in a successful real estate brokerage on the luxurious Gold Coast of Florida. During our hours together, sorting and organizing for their move, I was regaled with stories of dealing real estate in Palm Beach – selling high-rise condos to international glitterati and waterfront mansions to business and sport super-stars!

Many referrals received by Simplified Lives come from assisted living communities. In this case, we were referred to Mr. and Mrs. Danvers by EPOCH on Blackstone Boulevard (now Wingate Residences on Blackstone Boulevard) on the East Side of Providence, Rhode Island. Cressida had been experiencing some medical challenges and Lou’s memory was deteriorating with the onset of dementia. Cressida and Lou made the decision to move from their condo to an assisted living apartment at Wingate on Blackstone, but needed help orchestrating this difficult transition.

Simplified Lives helped them with every step. We began by looking at the floor plan of the new apartment at Wingate. Then we spent several hours together identifying which furniture they would bring and planning artwork placement and clothes-closet ideas for the new place. We helped Cressida sort her clothes; she and Lou had amazing clothes and shoes from their Gold Coast days! (Oh, and the handbags!)  Simplified Lives works with a clothing buyer who will purchase or sell clothing and accessories for our clients who do not want to move all of the clothing they have accumulated over many years.

Simplified Lives helped Cressida select a mover and we arranged the moving date. We do the packing; our staff members are professional packers, insured and bonded.  Simplified Lives makes the entire day of the move easy and stress-free. We even unpack the boxes at our clients’ new home.

In managing this move, like many others, Simplified Lives worked with an exceptional estate appraiser and buyer who appraised, sold or purchased items, helping our clients get fair value for things they no long wanted. In Cressida and Lou’s case, their condo had to be “broom-swept” after they moved out. Simplified Lives works with a great “clean-out” crew who will remove anything that needs to be removed after the move has occurred and items have been sold.

Cressida and Lou are now settled in their lovely new apartment. Cressida has professionally designed closet space and shoe shelves galore. Lou is happily engaged in daily structured activities in a memory enhancing program, giving Cressida time and space of her own.  They are together every morning and evening.  This assisted living arrangement is an advantageous option for couples who want to live together but need additional support for one partner.

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By Valerie Achorn

Valerie Achorn, M.P.A., President of Simplified Lives has many years of experience managing moves for clients around the country. Holding a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (M.P.A.) from Harvard University, Valerie brings a broad management background and savvy networking skills to Simplified Lives.