Moving is stressful, and for those in the later stages of their lives, it can be even more overwhelming. This is where WellRive, a move solutions company, can help. “We’re here to support seniors in this major life event,” says Kaleigh Brooks, director of operations. A division of CRI, which focuses on corporate relocations, WellRive is a natural extension of its parent company.
The first step in the WellRive (Arrive Well, Live Well) process is a phone call to Edina office, and it’s never too early to make it. “During that call, they're able to chat with one of our client service advisors and share whatever information they’re comfortable sharing about their move,” she says. This may include their address, the size of their home, and when they plan to move. Then, if the caller wants to move forward, a client consultation and a complimentary initial visit can be scheduled.
“They’ll go out, meet the potential client and see the space, and from there, they'll be able to break down the different plans and put together an estimate. If the client then wants to move forward, we'll schedule everything that they want us to do.”
The solutions the company provides are varied and tailored to exactly what each client needs and wants. “We can come and just pack and unpack,” says Kaleigh. “We can schedule the move for you, or get floor plans ready for you, or coordinate absolutely everything for you.”
The team can even recreate the layout of the original house so seniors can feel more at home right away. “We also partner with quite a few of the senior communities and actually help provide floor plans for them to hand out to the residents who’ll be moving in. From there, we can offer three different levels of floor planning services.”
The first one is pretty basic and involves a magnetic board and small magnetic pieces shaped like couches, beds, and tables. These are then arranged according to clients’ preferences. Furniture measurements are taken to ensure the pieces will fit in their designated spaces. WellRive can also provide more sophisticated 2D and 3D floor planning.
Since many of its clients are downsizing, WellRive also helps with paring down their belongings. “Our clients might have too much content for their new place, and so they're trying to figure out what they're going to do with all the furniture, artwork, and other things they've had in their homes that have memories attached to them,” she says. “We do downsizing sessions with them in preparation for the move, and keeping the same consistent team helps build trust and relationships with our clients.”
She adds, “Something that doesn't get talked about enough is the challenges that family members face too because they have to watch their parents get rid of years of stuff that they’ve had forever.”
This is why having someone neutral who isn’t invested in the items can be more helpful. “It's a lot harder for family members to be the ones to assist with this versus someone who becomes a friend of the client. It works well because we’re able to establish trust during the process, but at the same time, we’re not directly relating to those memories.”
All managers and team members undergo extensive training to help them navigate a client's needs. “For example, if they need more emotional support during the whole process, our move managers tailor their plans and their estimates so that they can be there to give that one-on-one support if needed,” says Kaleigh.”
After the relocation, the move manager usually has one last meeting or stays a little later to say goodbye and make sure everything is in place. The following week, a client service advisor will call to see how they’re settling in and find out if there's anything else they can do for them.
WellRive brought the well-known Gentle Transitions into its organization a few years ago, says Kaleigh. “Being a young career woman in this field, I feel really proud to be associated and a part of the Gentle Transitions legacy, because that really is what we are. We are a sounding board, a social worker, a therapist, a packer—anything that the client needs us to be.”
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