Preparing for a move to an Assisted Living Facility

Three years ago, we were awoken at 5:30 in the morning by the sound of the telephone. My mother was having trouble walking and described numbness in her limbs. The paramedics diagnosed a stroke. At that moment, all of our lives changed. She had looked after me for so many years, and now it was my turn to help her.

That included making some difficult decisions. After six weeks in a rehabilitation center, she moved back into the house in which she had lived for more than 40 years. We found live-in care for her, but a further series of small strokes soon made it necessary for her to have more skilled supervision.

My mother had to make the difficult decision to move out of our family home. We sold her house, sorting through the accumulated belongings of a lifetime, and set her up with an apartment at a local assisted living center. The move, as it turns out, has been a Godsend: she is well cared for, has made new friends, and keeps busy with a variety of social activities.

As a real estate broker for John L. Scott, I already had made several contacts, such as junk haulers, garage-sale organizers, and contractors who specialize in making modifications for senior living, all of whom made the transition proceed more smoothly. My mother's experience prompted me to earn my certification as a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES), so that I could help others benefit from what I had learned during this trying time.

These kinds of life decisions are always stressful, for both the parents and their adult children. With my experience and contacts, I can alleviate some of the pesky, mundane issues involved with closing down a long-time family home, giving you more time to concentrate on the important matters: the emotional welfare of you and your family.

Dave Douglas, Real Estate     (206) 618-3037