New Neighbors, A New Chapter

A widow of several years, Julie took pride in her independence and had no plans to leave her home of 40 years. But as time passed, Julie’s large, two-level house gradually became more than she could handle or even get around in. When managing the steps to the lower level became increasingly difficult, Julie had the lower level cleared out and just stopped going downstairs. While her sons were only a couple hours’ drive away, their family and work responsibilities meant they couldn’t help with even minor upkeep at her house. In addition, the costs of heating and cooling the house and yard maintenance kept increasing.

Julie’s sons tried to talk to their mother about the need to downsize and move to a more manageable situation on numerous occasions but she always ended the conversation abruptly. Her daughters-in-law knew it was best not to be in the room during these discussions! Julie’s older grandchildren tried to encourage a change saying they would visit her wherever she lived. Julie’s family appreciated her need for independence but they were concerned.

It was a friend’s fall that proved to be the wake-up call for Julie. It wasn’t a bad fall, just down one step but the ankle was broken and her friend’s overall health rapidly declined. Soon her friend was moved by family to an assisted living facility. Julie realized the time had come for her to downsize while the decisions involved were still hers to make.
Julie met with her realtor and set a time frame for emptying the house, making minor repairs, and listing it. Visiting several different senior communities, Julie chose one not far from her home allowing her to continue to see her regular physicians, easily visit friends, and shop at her usual stores.

Knowing her sons weren’t in a position to help her move, Julie contacted a Senior Move Manager, and together, they developed an action plan. They determined what furniture would fit into her new place, set a move-in date, and addressed numerous details. A lifelong minimalist, most of Julie’s belongings would move with her with the rest given to friends and family or donated to local charities.

Moving day came with the Senior Move Manager overseeing the moving truck crew as they loaded boxes and furniture while the rest of the senior move team handled the “day of” packing (sheets, toiletries, coffee maker, etc.). Begrudgingly accepting her situation, Julie waited in the community rec area as the Senior Move team unpacked and set up her new home. That’s when Julie’s move took, for her, an unexpected turn. Many of her new neighbors came to introduce themselves and welcome her to the community. Julie’s move-in date had been announced and one of her new neighbors had even baked her cookies. It dawned on Julie that she was becoming part of a fun, and caring “neighborhood.” Suddenly, leaving her home was not as difficult as it had seemed nor the loss of her independence as she had imagined but rather a new chapter in her life.

Julie went upstairs to her apartment to see all the packing materials gone and everything in place—work done by the Senior Move Manager team. This suited independently-minded Julie just fine as she had learned from her new neighbors that it was Crab Feast Night and she didn’t want to miss out on the fun!

AUTHOR: Marilyn Leek, a Certified Senior Move Manager® and owner of Chesapeake Transitions, has provided guidance and support for Maryland seniors and their families for almost 15 years.