When we talk about “unusual transitions” at Transitions Liquidation Services, we often mean requests from clients or referrers to accomplish unusual things … usually something that no one is around to do. Here are some examples:
Based on a referral from a senior community, we were contacted by Jacob to assist him with partially transitioning from a condo in Boston to an independent living community in a more rural setting. Jacob was still working and would continue to for the foreseeable future so the transition would include a complete set-up of the new apartment with appropriate furniture and furnishings. We jokingly referred to Jacob’s new digs as his “bachelor pad.”
Jacob, it turns out, is color blind. He is single and needed someone to rely on to make decorating decisions as well as to engage, coordinate, and manage a general contractor to complete renovations and upgrades to the new apartment before his move in. A review of his current Boston condo showed his preference for more modern furniture and a taste that ran fairly clean and simple. Conversations around some framed photos of sail boats and snow-covered mountains lead to an understanding that sailing and heliskiing were passions. Marie’s understanding that a huge aspect of living in a senior community is to “show people who you are” so that they can connect end engage with you as a new resident, meant that Jacob’s photos from sailing and skiing trips and family outings needed to be incorporated into the new apartment décor.
TLS worked with the general contractor to determine the renovations and upgrades needed throughout the new apartment including the baths, kitchen, and closets. Paint was selected to bring the beautiful colors of nature inside and to take full advantage of the view of the winding river, trees, and wetlands just outside his windows. New furniture and furnishings were purchased that harmonized with the view and reflected his personal taste. Marie enlarged some of Jacob’s photographs and framed them for his walls. Jacob was overwhelmed with gratitude. He said, “Marie, you get me.”
Marie said, “I am a good listener and observer. I heard and saw what was important to Jacob and what would make this new apartment feel like home in a way that would make his transition to it successful as he wound down his career. My education, including project management; prior experience with making purchases for clients; and an extensive network of “senior focused” skilled trades professionals; were a great combination of skills and expertise that made this extensive project a fun and rewarding experience.”
A Little Extra Help with Memory Impaired Transitions
Marjorie, like many of the TLS clients, has dementia. Her family and doctors determined she could no longer live alone but Marjorie was at a point in the progression of the disease that she couldn’t totally comprehend all of the background and medical information to be able to fully engage in the decision-making process. A transition would need to be completed using a fiblet that water pipes had broken and would need to be repaired before Marjorie could move back to her home. A new “home” would need to be established that would look and feel familiar without necessarily using Marjorie’s current possessions.
TLS was contacted by the family and the Aging Life Care Professional working Marjorie’s case to assist with a transition to a memory unit. TLS visited Marjorie’s current home with the ALCA care manager and made notes of her taste with regards to colors, art work, and furnishings. Taking into consideration the size and configuration of Marjorie’s new apartment, TLS made all the necessary purchases to outfit Marjorie’s new apartment with everything she would need. They duplicated Marjorie’s favorite items including toiletry brands and incorporated her taste in furniture and décor. Marjorie loved the color purple and butterflies, birds and dogs. Marie listened to family members describe interests and favorites and she set up the new apartment to reflect those interests. Purple bedding, a purple butterfly shower curtain and matching towels, bird decoys and birding books on the bookshelves, as well as framed art of dogs and birds lining the walls. Familiarity breeds comfort and when Marjorie was taken to her new apartment, she was immediately at ease in the familiar surroundings.
Details Are Important to Families and Professionals.
All this attention to detail is important, not only to the client and the family, but to the realtor and the staff at the senior community as well. Getting the client to transition according to a preset timeframe means that the home can be cleaned, staged, and made ready for sale. Family members have peace of mind that their loved one is settled in and comfortable. The senior community staff can make plans for their new residents so that they are included in appropriate activities as soon as possible.
Today, however, tending to all these details is not always easy. COVID-related business conditions shuttered local stores that TLS depended on for purchases. Being able to shop locally to purchase necessary items for clients is better than buying on-line. Seeing and feeling the quality and colors first-hand is key to making the right choices.
One store may be good for one client but not a good resource for another. Again, the cookie-cutter approach is not for Transition Liquidation Services or its clients. Everything is personalized for each client’s individual taste, interests, and favorites. The transition to a new home is the next phase in a lifetime of experiences and it is TLS’s goal to make it the best it can be.
If you need help “closing the deal” with a reluctant prospective client; if you need the home vacated so that staging and listing the home can happen; if you are advising a family member on what is medically best for their loved one … and you are looking for that special factor to get the job moving and completed, call or email Marie LeBlanc for a complimentary consultation. What may seem like an unusual request has probably been done by Marie and her team at TLS before.