Helping to Make the Move
He's equal parts artist and magician. Joseph Jania's job title at Sedgebrook senior living community in Lincolnshire is interior designer/move-in coordinator. From the time that a person makes a deposit on an apartment home at Sedgebrook, until the time that the last box is unpacked, and the final picture hung, Joseph works to make a resident's new home perfect, and their move seamless.
Joseph, who studied interior design at Harrington College of Design in Chicago, said that he's always loved to take a blank slate and turn it into someone's vision. With his expertise in space planning and dedication to honoring his clients' wishes, Joseph is a master of making design dreams come true. "I just listen. I don't believe in being driven by what's trendy or showing on HGTV. I listen to the client and what their dream is and what their need is."
Joseph said that Sedgebrook boasts 40 different apartment home floor plans ranging from a 700 square foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom model, to a 2,246 square foot three-bedroom, two and one-half bathroom model. "There is an apartment for everyone," he said. The apartments feature granite counters, porcelain tiles, wood floors, and recessed lighting. "They're really beautiful. People tell me that they're pleasantly surprised that the quality is so high, and the price point is such a great value."
Often the greatest obstacle to an individual moving to a senior living community is the apprehension about downsizing from a home they've lived in for 30 or 40 years. Joseph quickly puts people's anxiety to rest. One of his best ways to help, he said, is to go to their home and photograph all of the furniture they would like to keep when they move. "We go room by room and wall by wall. Then I go to their apartment at Sedgebrook and tape the photos to the walls on which the items will go. They see how beautifully their items can fit," he said. "They see that everything they want will make the transition, and their apartment will feel like home. That's really exciting for them."
Joseph's role also includes linking people with realtors to sell their home, finding downsizers or estate sales assistance, and helping them to secure packers, movers, and unpackers. "On move-in day, I help make sure that everything is happening exactly the way it should be," he said.
Joseph also designs the common areas of Sedgebrook, including the restaurants and lounges, as well as at the senior living community's health and rehabilitation center, Radford Green.
Joseph said that he has been blessed with what he feels is the perfect job. "We have a great sense of family here…the staff and the residents." He added, "I love helping to get this next exciting chapter in the resident's life off to a good start."
SEDGEBROOK
Sedgebrook is a Life Plan Community offering a diverse lifestyle, maintenance-free living, and outstanding amenities. Five-star rated Radford Green Health Care, and Rehabilitation is located on the 72-acre Sedgebrook campus in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Sedgebrook is a Senior Care Development, LLC affiliated community and managed by Life Care Services LLC®. For additional information, visit www.WelcomeToSedgebrook.com or call 847-901-3319.