| Looking for some good news? Here's some: the | | | | Coldwell Banker Burnet ( the top Minnesota/Wisconsin |
| people at the front lines of Minnesota's <a | | | | full-service real estate company, and Gentle |
| title=Assisted living at Great Places! rel="nofollow" | | | | Transitions ( a firm that offers moving services, the |
| onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(' | | | | Home Connections "Move Manager" coordinates the |
| outgoing/article_exit_link');" href= living</a> | | | | work, which includes an assessment of each home |
| communities and senior service-related companies | | | | and assistance with whatever upgrading, home |
| have joined forces to bring their complementary | | | | repairs and painting is required to improve the |
| experiences and talents to help seniors who need to | | | | marketability of the listing. After the home is listed |
| sell their homes, select a seniors-oriented living | | | | and sold, Home Connections orchestrates packing, |
| environment, scale down their possessions, and then | | | | shipping, and the physical move--even cleaning the |
| move into the new space. The result? New | | | | former home--and finally unpacks, hangs pictures, and |
| business opportunities, new jobs and renewed | | | | arranges knick-knacks in the new space while the |
| stability for these firms, and a lifeline for seniors who | | | | family takes mom and dad out to lunch. |
| need assistance with daily activities. | | | | Rose’s Daughters ( experts in senior move |
| It’s not surprising that such creative synergies | | | | management, have teamed up with Above and |
| have sprung up in the world of senior housing and | | | | Beyond Senior Services ( a firm that specializes in |
| related services. These businesses are owned and | | | | physical and occupational therapy. The program, |
| staffed by some of the most generous, positive | | | | called "Rose's Daughters Move Above and Beyond |
| people in the state who are solving problems that | | | | Program," helps seniors with physical or cognitive |
| especially impact Minnesota seniors: | | | | concerns and who need to move into <a |
|  Their homes are hard to sell, | | | | title=Senior apartments at Great Places! rel="nofollow" |
| especially in the current housing market. In addition, | | | | onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(' |
| their homes frequently need updating, which requires | | | | outgoing/article_exit_link');" href= apartments< |
| a cash infusion that many seniors either don't have or | | | | a>, assisted living facilities or nursing homes. The |
| refuse to provide; | | | | program plans the move, focusing on the senior's |
|  The collapse of the stock | | | | particular needs, and ensures that the physical layout |
| market and other investments has decimated their | | | | of the new space will be appropriate to meet these |
| retirement accounts; | | | | needs. |
|  The health of many of these | | | | Here's how the website describes the final |
| elderly homeowners is in decline, or they need | | | | product: "The new space will look and feel like |
| extended rehabilitation following an Alzheimer’s | | | | home, but with a floor plan that maximizes the |
| diagnosis, major surgery or other medical crisis; and | | | | senior’s need for personal energy conservation; |
|  The constant drumbeat of bad | | | | incorporates adaptive equipment and environmental |
| news escalates fear and a sense of hopelessness in | | | | cueing; and addresses fall prevention and bathroom |
| the senior population and the families who struggle to | | | | safety. Following the move, Above & Beyond |
| support them emotionally, physically and financially. | | | | will complete an environmental analysis for |
| Here are some examples of these collaborative | | | | accessibility, safety and fall hazards within the new |
| strategies: | | | | space. The therapist will assess safety awareness, |
| Home Connections ( a division of Presbyterian | | | | judgment and problem solving. We then train all |
| Homes, a leading Minnesota assisted living provider, | | | | involved caregivers to help prevent stress and |
| has developed a multi-faceted realty and relocation | | | | hospital readmissions. |
| assistance program for seniors. Partnering with | | | | |