My name is Mary Conway I am a Registered Nurse and Midwife and I have a Masters in Nursing from UCD. I was a clinical nurse specialist at Beaumont Hospital for many years working with people who have a diagnosis of bowel cancer. I particularly enjoyed working with my older patients and hearing their life stories. I was constantly struck by their resilience and bravery in the face of a tough diagnosis where the outcome was often uncertain.
I have always had an interest in property refurbishment and staging. I have qualifications in interior design. I have a higher certificate in real estate management sales and letting from TU Dublin.
In late 2016 we had challenges at home with my elderly parents and their mobility and in hindsight, I now know my dad was in the early stages of dementia. We were fortunate to have a ground floor extension that was self-contained that was built for my grandmother who came to live with us over 40 years ago. It needed little modification, which was good. The biggest challenge was getting my mother to part with a lifetime of possessions to move to a smaller space. Among other stuff she had all the cards and telegrams she got when three of her children were born-we are all in our 50’s. They were moving within the same house and my brother and his family were there and it was a challenge!
At this time I read an article about Senior Move management in the New York Times, which I thought, was an amazing service. I saw that there was an association in America called NASMM (National Association of Senior Move Managers) who organize specialist training and recognize the need for this specialist service. I loved the concept that senior moves are different to other moves as the needs of seniors-emotionally and physically are different to younger people. It would combine my interest in property and working with older people. I got in contact with them and I did some on line training with them. I have certification in Ethics and accountability, Senior Move management safety, and contracts and liability. In March 2018 I attended their annual conference in Florida. I decided this is something that I really want to be part of and that I would provide this service in Ireland and in 2019 Janus Estates was born!