There's No Place Like Home

Offload Tasks to a Personal Concierge

Did you know you can hire someone to be your go-to helper with running errands, maintaining your home, folding laundry, planning a trip, and more? A personal concierge can help older adults manage the daily load — and stay in their own homes longer. We talked with Cathi Bingaman, owner of InSync with You concierge services (insyncwithyou.com), to learn more.

How can seniors living at home benefit from your services?

Our team serves as an extra set of hands to assist with tasks from basic errands to more complex activities. We provide convenience and peace of mind. By taking care of day-to-day responsibilities, we can help alleviate stress and strain on our clients, allowing them to focus on enjoying their lives to the fullest.

Which specific services are helpful for older adults?

• Errands and tasks: We can take care of grocery shopping, prescription pickup, pickup and drop-off services, and other routine tasks so we can save clients time and energy.

• Organizing and decluttering: We help organize living spaces to create a more comfortable and functional environment, making it easier for seniors to navigate their homes safely.

• Move management: For those transitioning into a new living space or downsizing, we offer move support services including handling logistics, packing and unpacking, and setting up and styling the new home so that it’s ready and aesthetically pleasing. We can also help with estate sales.

• Holiday decorating: We put up, take down and store holiday decorations.

• Travel planning: We take care of all aspects of travel planning, from research and assistance with booking to itinerary planning and transportation arrangements. We work to ensure that older adults can travel with ease and confidence.

How much does your service cost?

The cost of our services depends on the type and extent of assistance, frequency, and any additional personalized features. We have package offerings that range from 4- to 30-hour bundles, and clients use the hours as needed.

What advice would you give someone looking for a concierge service?

You want to find a personal concierge who offers senior-friendly services. Ideally, they should have experience working with seniors. They should be bonded and insured. Ask for references and testimonials and check reviews. Spend some time getting to know your dedicated concierge. You should feel comfortable with them and have confidence in their abilities, reliability, and trustworthiness.

Why she works with a concierge:

Terri Paige, CEO of Medical Transformation Center, shares how hiring a concierge has helped her: “My mantra has always been that I should be able to take care of everything myself, and if I can’t, then I’m a failure. But now I understand that it’s OK to ask for and accept help. Having a personal concierge has multiplied my efforts. I don’t have to always rely on myself to do everything.

“I have a busy life like all of us — I have eight children, three grandchildren and run a business with my husband. Just to have a wingman beside me who can help me when I need it has been life-changing.”

Today's Transitions Spring 2024 | Kym Voorhees Raque