The move from a private home to a retirement community is a big decision – not to mention a lot of work. Your home holds years of mementos, decorations, furniture and more. When you’re ready to make the move, knowing exactly what to bring with you can be very difficult.
At The Kenwood, we know how stressful a move can be; that’s why we have our very own Nancy Grant on hand to help ease the transition. As move-in coordinator, Nancy works with the community relations team, new residents and their families to identify ways to maximize a resident’s new apartment and make the move as seamless as possible.
“The most important thing to me is that the residents trust me to help them through this transition,” Nancy says. “A move can be very overwhelming for people, so I want to make sure they’re comfortable and at ease with their decision.”
Nancy brings measurements of the new apartment to her first meeting with a new resident. From there, they discuss how to arrange their apartment, including what may not make sense to bring to their new home, and what they may need in addition to what they already have.
For example, since The Kenwood offers anytime dining options and a variety of venues to choose from, there’s no longer a need for three different place settings. With the exception of family heirlooms, many kitchen appliances and gadgets are no longer necessary.
Nancy manages the bulk of moving logistics – from scheduling a final moving date to programming their television. She also ensures that the new apartment is to residents’ liking and that their storage space in our climate-controlled garage is ready for any additional items, such as holiday decorations.
“It can be very emotional for people to see their lives packed up into a box, so I like to make sure the little things are taken care of,” she explains. “It might sound silly, but moving day can be so stressful that some people forget to eat. I make sure they get something for breakfast, lunch and dinner when they get to The Kenwood.”
After they’ve settled in, Nancy sends a photo of new residents to current residents and our staff so that others can welcome them. She also plans move-in parties for those who want to show off The Kenwood to their families and friends, something offered to all new residents.
“Everyone here really goes out of their way to make new residents feel like part of the family,” she adds. “The move-in parties give friends and relatives outside of The Kenwood a chance to see our resident’s new home and meet other members of our community.”
If you or someone you know may be looking to make the move to a retirement community, you can find out more about The Kenwood by calling (513) 823-3029.