Dear Friends,
Did you know the average age of a home seller right now is 63 years old? That number feels especially meaningful to me lately, as I’ve been walking alongside several seniors who are facing major life transitions.
One of my clients is a Canadian homeowner selling her house for the first time without her husband, who passed away several years ago. Deciding she no longer needed a second home was emotional enough, but the thought of going through the selling process without her partner has been daunting.
Another couple I’m working with recently transitioned into a senior living facility. The husband had experienced several falls that required emergency help, and though his wife is still healthy, she recognized that she could no longer provide the level of care he needed. Their move came sooner than expected, but it’s been a blessing to find a place where he can receive around-the-clock care while she can still enjoy independence and community.
These stories bring me back to my own experience with my mom. At just 54, she suffered a stroke that changed her life, and ours, forever. Suddenly, we were making decisions about where she would live, how to handle her affairs, and what kind of care she would need. At one point, she even lived in our home for a year. I’ll never forget the late-night falls, the panicked calls from my kids, and the constant worry about her safety.
Eventually, we had to make the difficult decision to move her into a senior living facility. At the time, it came with guilt and questions: Am I doing the right thing? Will she feel abandoned? But over time, I realized it was not only the right choice, it was the best choice. My mom has often told me how happy she is there. She has regained her dignity and independence, and our relationship has grown stronger. Instead of worrying about her safety, we get to focus on simply enjoying her company.
These experiences remind me that while major life changes can be hard, hard doesn’t mean bad. Often, change is the very thing that leads us to growth, healing, and unexpected joy.
As John C. Maxwell says:
“We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.”
Or as I like to say:
“We cannot become what we need to be by remaining where we are.”
If you are navigating a major life change, whether it’s connected to housing, family, or health, please know you don’t have to walk through it alone. I would be honored to help, not just with real estate, but also by connecting you with trusted friends in the senior living industry who can be a resource for your journey.
With love and gratitude,
Janine