During pandemic, Tallgrass Creek helps local couple make big move

Overland Park, KS – June 11, 2020 – At Tallgrass Creek, a continuing care retirement community developed and managed by Erickson Living, the sales office is normally a bustling place where team members meet future residents, conduct campus tours, and plan prospective resident gatherings. But when the COVID-19 health crisis escalated, the activities of sales team members took a different turn.  

"Everything changed quickly, but we are still very busy," says Sales Director Blake Marshall.  "New residents are moving in, and we continue to help people who want to reserve residences. Our new norm includes virtual tours, FaceTime meetings, and lots of calls and emails."

The sales team is especially busy with the future addition of Fountain View, Tallgrass Creek's new residence building scheduled for completion at year-end.

Fountain View's spacious apartment homes have deluxe appliances and finishes, upgraded lighting and flooring, and optional under-building parking. With eight different floor plans, many homes include a choice of patio, balcony, or screened porch.

"Interest in Tallgrass Creek is higher than ever," says Marshall.

During the pandemic, the sales team adapted quickly to serve the needs of community residents. Along with all Tallgrass Creek staff members, they helped to deliver meals, packages, mail, groceries, and more to the 600 residents living at the Overland Park, Kans. community.

"Everyone's job at Tallgrass Creek looks a little different these days," says Marshall. "We're all on the same team and our number one focus remains the same, which is to support and encourage our residents."

Moving during the pandemic

Although the pandemic stopped many things, it didn't stop new residents from moving to Tallgrass Creek.

As an Erickson Living-managed community, Tallgrass Creek offers residents unique coordination of their moves, even during a pandemic. The Erickson Realty and Moving Services offers complimentary coordination of moving needs from trusted and vetted moving organizations for services such as downsizing, home staging, packing, moving, and selection of real estate professionals.

Personal Moving Consultant Nancy Worthington, who has helped more than 80 percent of the residents at Tallgrass Creek simplify their moves, works closely with local preferred providers. She and other sales team members were front and center when Fran and Don Dyer moved to the community on April 17 from a nearby home they had lived in for 43 years.

"The Dyers moved right in the middle of the pandemic and our preferred providers were wonderful," says Nancy. "Everyone worked together to make sure Fran and Don were settled quickly, efficiently, and safely."

The Dyers met with Worthington some time ago at their house to plan the move. Using a model of their Tallgrass Creek floor plan, Worthington helped the Dyers decide what pieces of furniture would fit into their new residence. She also explained the Erickson Realty and Moving Services program.

"Nancy is delightful, knows her job, and does it well," says Don. "Every suggestion and recommendation she made worked out beautifully."  

The Dyers decided to utilize preferred providers and sold their home through a recommended real estate agent for the asking price in just one day.

They also worked with a team from Gentle Changes, a Tallgrass Creek-recommended senior move organization that helped them sort through their belongings and determine what to keep or donate. Additionally, the Dyers were connected with a company that will host a modified estate sale when the health crisis deescalates.

On moving day, the team from Gentle Changes arrived fully masked and gloved and worked with moving company C & C Relocation to move the couple's belongings to their spacious, two-bedroom residence that overlooks Tallgrass Creek's courtyard. The Gentle Changes team was also on the other end of the Dyers' move and put their new residence together in record time.

"Everyone from the sales staff to the real estate agent, packers, movers, and organizers did a splendid job," says Don. "We could never have done it that well ourselves. It made our move much less stressful." 

If you're interested in making your move as simple and fast as possible, take advantage of Tallgrass Creek's complimentary coordination of your downsizing, packing and moving services. Visit www.TallgrassCreek.com or call 1-800-709-1688 to learn more.

About Tallgrass Creek: Tallgrass Creek, one of 20 continuing care retirement communities developed and managed by Erickson Living®, is situated on a scenic 65-acre campus in Overland Park, Kansas. The not-for-profit community of more than 500 residents and 350 employees is governed by its own board of directors, affiliated with National Senior Campuses, who provide independent financial and operational oversight of the community. Additional information can be found at TallgrassCreek.com.

Photo Credit: Lucas Wicklund

Photo Caption: During the coronavirus pandemic, Tallgrass Creek Sales Director Blake Marshall and his team not only pitched in to deliver groceries, packages, mail, and more, but also helped several new residents move into their apartment homes at the retirement community in Overland Park.