This is a scenario I know first hand. Last spring we lost dad and mom was now alone
in their home of 66 years. With the
exception of grocery shopping, she never left the house. Her friends had passed away, her church had
closed, family members had passed away, or moved, and television became her best
friend.
After a bit of time passed, she began talking of the
loneliness she was experiencing. This
type of social isolation has been linked to several health issues, both mental
and physical. Depression, cognitive
decline, high blood pressure and other medical problems started to become
prevalent.
So, what can we do???
The first thing, be willing to recognize the problem. It’s important to
address the issue sooner rather than later in order to prevent a downward
spiral of problems.
Some of the things we discussed were: becoming active in a
social group, getting her up to speed
with technology, hiring an assistant for helping with laundry and shopping and
driving. Another option was to move out of the house to a community style
senior residence. Upon discussing what
was the safest
lifestyle and what she wanted, she became open to trying a senior residence
where she can enjoy as much (or as little) social interaction as she chooses.
To help pay for the cost of her stay, we recognized her major asset was the
home.
She did not like the new lifestyle at first. But in a recent conversation, she mentioned
that she likes not having to cook for herself and has FUN at bingo. Good choice mom!!
If you have a family member or friend experiencing this
type of scenario and want someone to help with selling their real estate and maximizing
the value of their largest asset, call
me, Tim Brodowski, Coldwell Banker
Real Estate. 858-354-2354. I promise the same patience and understanding
that I give my mom. Thanks for allowing
me to share my personal story. BRE #01224576
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