New Planning & Moving Consultant at Ashby Ponds Offers Moving Support

Ashburn, VA - Ashby Ponds, the Erickson Senior Living community in Ashburn, Va., is excited to welcome Planning and Moving Consultant Isabel "Izzy" Wilson!

After earning a bachelor's degree in psychology from George Mason University and a master's in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University, Wilson worked in hospital case management before embarking on a career in senior move management.

In this capacity, she worked with several Erickson Senior Living communities in the Richmond and Northern Virginia areas, traveling with planning and moving consultants to home visits with prospective residents.

Now, as a planning and moving consultant herself, Wilson works one-on-one with future residents to provide personalized assistance with everything from selecting a real estate agent to downsizing, packing, and moving.

"We are thrilled to welcome Izzy to our team!" says Elizabeth Dunwoody, Ashby Ponds' sales director. "Given her experience working with Erickson Senior Living in the past, she is uniquely qualified to provide prospective and incoming residents with all the support they need."

Recently, Wilson sat down with the Tribune to discuss the importance of building relationships with prospective residents and scheduling a complimentary home visit.

Tribune: Why is a home visit so critical in preparing for a future move to Ashby Ponds?

Wilson: Scheduling a home visit is a powerful first step in the moving process because it initiates our collaborative relationship. And chatting in your living room or at your dining table is much more personal than meeting in my office!

Typically, each home visit begins with a sit-down discussion, providing us the opportunity to get to know each other. This is also a wonderful time for me to learn more about each person's goals for their move.

The rest of the visit is up to you, really. For instance, some people are interested in using this time to identify the pieces of furniture they will bring to Ashby Ponds and lay it all out on a copy of their floor plan. Or, if they have yet to decide on a floor plan, we use this time to create furniture layouts on several floor plans. This goes a long way in helping to decide which apartment home is right for them.

I often travel with one of our senior move manager partners, which is especially helpful when incoming residents want to dig into the moving process. Together, we can provide a list of trusted vendors--like real estate agents, downsizing companies, and movers--who they can lean on for help.

Whether you're moving five months or five years in the future, we'll provide the resources you need to experience a streamlined, stress-free move!

Tribune: For those who wish to plan their apartment home layout during their home visit, what does that process look like?

Wilson: Layout planning begins with a discussion about what pieces of furniture the future resident would like to bring with them. Then, we walk through their current house, room by room, identifying those "wish list" items.

After measuring everything, we sit down and begin putting a plan together. If they've already selected an apartment home, I have a magnetic board with their selected floor plan ready. If they're undecided, I bring several floor plans with me. With magnets representing each piece of furniture, we place them in their apartment home. I like to let the incoming resident lead the process, jumping in with questions to make sure I have the perfect understanding of what they want.

It can be hard to envision a new space! This interactive process allows future residents to gain a better understanding of how they can utilize their space. I love watching people realize they can bring all the furniture and items they want--especially ones they were certain they would need to part with!

If any items cannot make the move, we discuss an action plan, whether that means reaching out to family members about beloved décor or finding auctions and donation spots nearby.

Following their home visit, the incoming residents receive a labeled, digital version of their floor plan with furniture included. Of course, all these plans can be modified as we advance through the process.

Tribune: When's the best time to schedule a home visit?

Wilson: The sooner the better! The biggest piece of advice I share is that it is never too early to start planning. Future residents who take the time to utilize all of the tools available to them gain peace of mind, knowing that every step is mapped out.

Our preferred vendors are vetted for experience and quality care. Just like me, they are more than happy to help with any part of the moving process!

To learn more about affordable, independent senior living at Ashby Ponds, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.