Many new residents enjoy the chance to design their new apartment homes based on their personal style. (Photo credit: Peter Howard)

People who move to Riderwood, an Erickson Living managed senior living community in Silver Spring, Maryland,, often say it’s the easiest move they’ve ever made—and there’s a good reason for that. New residents don’t have to go it alone. They can work with the community’s personal moving consultants, Diane Thometz and Jennifer Hill, who provide personalized assistance every step of the way.

Thometz and Hill help incoming residents select a real estate agent, home inspector, moving company and senior move manager. They also play a big role in assisting with the downsizing process, which can often be one of the most challenging parts of moving. And perhaps most importantly, Thometz and Hill often end up being a source of friendly support for residents as they plan and complete their moves to Riderwood.

Here, Thometz explains the services she and Hill offer and how they can be such a valuable resource for residents.

Q: For people who have never heard the term, what is a personal moving consultant?

Thometz: We’re the person our Priority List members can utilize as their own complimentary concierge that will connect them to all the resources they need to help plan and facilitate their future move to Riderwood.

Q: What kind of help do you offer to prospective residents?

Thometz: We provide them with floor plan designs for any floor plans they’re interested in. We also assess their downsizing needs and connect them to resources that will help them clear out the items they no longer need or want.

Q: How can working with a personal moving consultant make moving less stressful?

Thometz: Our clients’ biggest obstacle is downsizing their home and finding a good real estate agent. They don’t know where to start and who to contact. We take them through this process step by step and will find a solution for everything left in their home.

Q: At what point in the decision-making or moving process should people connect with you?

Thometz: Immediately after they join the priority list, they should contact us. It’s never too early to start the downsizing and planning process. Whether your timeline is three months or three plus years, the sooner we’re in your home the easier the process will be. It’s also a wonderful tool for downsizing, it gives clients a chance to see what realistically fits in a floor plan they’re interested in and then they see what’s left to downsize. Our preferred real estate agents will provide our clients with a complimentary market analysis that will give them the information to help them determine which floor plan works best financially. They can also gain valuable information about the real estate market.

Q:How are you able to safely work with prospective residents during the pandemic?

Thometz: When we come to their homes, we stay socially distant and wear a mask. We also provide hand sanitizer for when they touch our magnetic board for a floor plan design. We can’t give any handshakes or hugs, but we give lots of verbal encouragement.

Q: How does your experience as a real estate agent help you in your work?

Thometz: My background helps me discuss the market with my clients and also assess their home before they meet with our preferred real estate agents. I can also discuss any concerns they have about their home.

Q: Any helpful tips for people based on what you’ve learned?

Thometz: Many times, our clients will say that they wished they started the process sooner. They realize how valuable and easy it is to utilize our help. Sometimes they feel they should wait to have us in their home until they get it more organized. That’s completely opposite of what they should do. We rather you don’t lift a finger and let us help you make the yes and no pile. I had a client who recently lost her husband and was so overwhelmed with her home. Once I came to her house, she realized she wasn’t alone in making decisions and had an entire team to help her through this big decision and move process. She’s thrilled to be at Riderwood with an entire community for comfort and support.

Enjoy an active and affordable lifestyle at Riderwood. For more information, call 1-800-605-2045.

About Riderwood: Riderwood, one of 20 continuing care retirement communities developed and managed by Erickson Living®, is situated on a scenic 120-acre campus in Silver Spring, Maryland. The not-for-profit community of more than 2500 residents is governed by its own board of directors, affiliated with National Senior Campuses, who provide independent financial and operational oversight of the community. Riderwood is located in Montgomery County. Additional information about Riderwood can be found at Riderwood.com

Written by Meghan Streit