MINNESOTA BUSINESSES FORM "LOVE CONNECTIONS" TO HELP NEEDY SENIORS SELL THEIR HOMES

Looking for some good news?  Here's some:  the people at the front lines of Minnesota's <a title=Assisted living at Great Places! Href=http://www.greatplacesinc.com/features/AssistedLiving.aspx>assisted living</a> communities and senior service-related companies have joined forces to bring their complementary experiences and talents to help seniors who need to sell their homes, select a seniors-oriented living environment, scale down their possessions, and then move into the new space.  The result?  New business opportunities, new jobs and renewed stability for these firms, and a lifeline for seniors who need assistance with daily activities.
It’s not surprising that such creative synergies have sprung up in the world of senior housing and related services.  These businesses are owned and staffed by some of the most generous, positive people in the state who are solving problems that especially impact Minnesota seniors: 
&#61607;    Their homes are hard to sell, especially in the current housing market.  In addition, their homes frequently need updating, which requires a cash infusion that many seniors either don't have or refuse to provide;
&#61607;    The collapse of the stock market and other investments has decimated their retirement accounts;
&#61607;    The health of many of these elderly homeowners is in decline, or they need extended rehabilitation following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, major surgery or other medical crisis; and
&#61607;    The constant drumbeat of bad news escalates fear and a sense of hopelessness in the senior population and the families who struggle to support them emotionally, physically and financially.
Here are some examples of these collaborative strategies: 
Home Connections (http://www.preshomes.org/links.iml), a division of Presbyterian Homes, a leading Minnesota assisted living provider, has developed a multi-faceted realty and relocation assistance program for seniors.  Partnering with Coldwell Banker Burnet (http://www.cbburnet.com), the top Minnesota/Wisconsin full-service real estate company, and Gentle Transitions (http://www.gentletransitions.com), a firm that offers moving services, the Home Connections "Move Manager" coordinates the work, which includes an assessment of each home and assistance with whatever upgrading, home repairs and painting is required to improve the marketability of the listing.  After the home is listed and sold, Home Connections orchestrates packing, shipping, and the physical move--even cleaning the former home--and finally unpacks, hangs pictures, and arranges knick-knacks in the new space while the family takes mom and dad out to lunch. 
Rose’s Daughters (http://www.rosesdaughters.com/aboutus.html), experts in senior move management, have teamed up with Above and Beyond Senior Services (http://www.aboveservices.com), a firm that specializes in physical and occupational therapy.  The program, called "Rose's Daughters Move Above and Beyond Program," helps seniors with physical or cognitive concerns and who need to move into <a title=Senior apartments at Great Places! Href=http://www.greatplacesinc.com/features/SeniorApartments.aspx>senior apartments</a>, assisted living facilities or nursing homes.  The program plans the move, focusing on the senior's particular needs, and ensures that the physical layout of the new space will be appropriate to meet these needs. 

Here's how the website describes the final product:   "The new space will look and feel like home, but with a floor plan that maximizes the senior’s need for personal energy conservation; incorporates adaptive equipment and environmental cueing; and addresses fall prevention and bathroom safety.  Following the move, Above & Beyond will complete an environmental analysis for accessibility, safety and fall hazards within the new space. The therapist will assess safety awareness, judgment and problem solving. We then train all involved caregivers to help prevent stress and hospital readmissions."

These Minnesota partnerships resemble those in other states.  The goal of these programs is to move needy senior from one place--the family home--to another--an apartment-type space with various supportive services, all of which is accomplished with maximum ease and minimal disruption.  The services of these programs usually are initiated with an assessment meeting with the elder and family members.  Next comes the sorting and identification of real treasures, the gifting of heirlooms to grateful family members and friends.  Then, the program proceeds with packing, filming of furniture placement and photo arrangements to be replicated in the new space, accomplished with kindness and precision.  And in only a matter of hours the new--yet familiar, warm and inviting refuge, a replica of the home they so cherished--is recreated.