STAYING WHERE YOU ARE SENIORS

QUAD CITIES REAL ESTATE WITH RE/MAX

SERVING THE ENTIRE IOWA AND ILLINOIS QUAD CITIES ............................................................

DAVENPORT - BETTENDORF - ROCK ISLAND - MOLINE AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

TOM & CYNDEE BROWNER - CRS, ABR, GRI

BROKER ASSOCIATES SERVING IOWA & ILLINOIS - 319-332-9900 EXT 225

WANT TO SELL YOUR HOME FOR THE MOST MONEY, IN THE SHORTEST TIME, WITH THE LEAST INCONVENIENCE TO YOU? Do you want serious advertising and effort from your agent? Call or contact us for a FREE MARKET ANALYSIS of your present home. No obligation, of course. Call us on our private line at 332-1130 RE/MAX RIVER CITIES, or Contact us at tom&cyndee@quadcitiesrealestate.com LOOKING TO BUY? Check out the services an ACCREDITED BUYER'S REPRESENTATIVE can mean to you.

STAYING WHERE I AM

I get a call every couple of years from a senior or their family wanting me to price a home because someone feels that the senior should make a move. Perhaps the spouse passed, or the health has become worse and they think that it will continue to get worse. Why put off the inevitable, let's sell the home, they explain, and put the senior into a nursing home or in with a family member.

I usually ask the seniors a few questions. The first is do you like living where you are? If they say no, it is time to move. If they say oh yes, then moving may not be in their best interest.

My next question is something like, homes can be a lot of work, how are you managing. If they tell me that they have help, good neighbors, a relative that stops by once a week etc... It again may not be in their best interest to move. This is assuming of course that they are mentally alert, competent to manage their basic necessities, and reasonable health for their age.

There is a lot of help out there for seniors that enjoy their independence, their yard, garden, neighbors, church and community. Meals on wheels, visiting nurses, church volunteers, younger teenagers from the neighborhood, neighbors, relatives and even other seniors can offer the minimum assistance for seniors to stay in their home and be independent. Warning devices that can be carried on the person and call for help if there is an emergency and other safeguards can be implemented to keep seniors safe and independent. Even the computer can be used for seniors to check in with family members on a daily basis. A simple bi-daily e-mail of I had a ham sandwich and a glass of milk, took my meds and worked in the garden for awhile and now I am going shopping with... left on a daughters computer can give the family piece of mind. Non receipt of an e-mail can cause a phone call to check. No big deal. No one is bothered and the senior can be independent and safe.

This said, if there is real danger of falling, not eating, taking medications or other risk, the senior may have to sell. One option is an apartment close to the relatives, maybe a block or two away, buy not in the same home, giving the senior some personal space and freedom. In time, we all become more dependant. The body just wears out. Based on your situation, you at that time in consultation with your doctor, pastor and family will have to make life changing decisions. The key is to live while you can. When you think you can't, stop doing, then you can't. As long as you do, you can and tomorrow is tomorrow.

I have seen people in great health, retire and then die within a few years. I have seen seniors with lots of illness, spend time doing volunteer work and live active lives and like the Ever-ready bunny go on and on and on. So my only advice is keep moving and enjoying life.

SIDE NOTE: THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

Never hang around with negative people. They have nothing going on in their lives and their whole goal is to make sure you have nothing going on in yours. Instead find interesting, bright, even argumentative people who challenge you to think and be your best you. Be involved, volunteer. Make a video documentary of your life, the family and what you have observed over the years. Make a few copies and leave them for the great - great grandkids. Your own time capsule.
Never listen to people who tell you that at your age you should not be doing anything. If you are healthy and want to do something, do it. What are you waiting for? If you die sitting in a rocking chair in front of the TV or die roller blading, you are still dead. On the one hand you may not have been living, on the other you will have lived every day and when you go, you go. Don't go crazy, but don't deny yourself those things that make life unique and worthwhile.
Next, never ever look in a mirror! When you look out, your mind does not know how old you are. You can still see things in all their wonder and beauty, just as you did when you were six, or sixteen, or forty six. You may be shocked to see how old your friends and relatives have become. Mentally - You are the same. So keep your sense of humor, your curiosity and challenge yourself.
Finally if you do something, you can. If you stop doing something you can't or you may soon find that you can't. I have seen a 93 year old women drive to Alaska, a 92 year old woman parachute jump, 83 year old women teach scuba diving, a 96 year old man bowl in a league and still hold a job, and a 92 year old man run his own farm. Age is just a number. Life is for those that live it.

Do these four things and you will never be old, just more experienced.

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