A pandemic is a challenging time to explore your affordable senior housing options, but Golden West has adapted the “typical” leasing process for the times. According to Golden West Leasing Coordinator Nicole Pilger, nowadays, there is one question most prospective residents ask during the initial phone call.
“When someone is inquiring about moving in, they always ask, how are you guys handling COVID? How many cases have you had?” said Nicole. “Those are the biggest concerns, so I try to alleviate those first, and I encourage them to come and see the community for themselves.”
During the pandemic and the community’s current construction project, Nicole is showcasing Golden West’s apartments and amenities in numerous ways, mostly through virtual tours and socially distanced in-person tours, as well as referring prospects to the website for apartment floorplans, sending over sales materials and taking photos of apartments upon request.
“I can do video calls on my smartphone (using Facebook Live if they have an iPhone and Google Duo if they have an Android). They can call me, and then I can target the tour to them. I show them their move-in ready apartment, the dining room, the gardens, the business center, the views,” said Nicole. “I can basically walk around and give them a virtual tour that way. A video tour can also help in their planning process. Even if someone doesn’t want to move right away, they can still get a taste of what the community is like.”
If a prospect wants to do an in-person visit, Nicole will explain the community’s safety rules, which adhere to CDC, state and Boulder County Health Department guidelines. Currently, the community requires face coverings in all indoor public areas and social distancing of six feet. Entering the community is restricted to staff and essential care providers, and communal dining, congregating, and non-resident social visits are not permitted.
“For in-person visits, we’re very proactive about safety. I have the person meet me at our West Entrance; we ask them a list of questions about symptoms and exposure, and we do a temperature check,” said Nicole. “I always wait there so I can scoop them up right away and they don’t end up feeling lost. I also make sure to send along a parking lot map ahead of time.”
A lot has changed over the last six months, but what hasn’t is what makes Golden West such a great community, Nicole said. The halls and grounds still bustle with activity as residents and staff members interact and socialize, albeit in a safe, socially distanced way.
“The wonderful things about Golden West — the amenities, the people — are all still here,” said Nicole. “When people come in to see an apartment, they are going to feel that warm and welcoming atmosphere. To me, it’s our people are who make Golden West stand out.”
For more information about apartment availability at Golden West, our safety protocols and leasing process, give us a call at 303.444.3967.