Reframing the Concept of the Word “Home”

Reframing the concept of the word “home”

Our society values independence, and yet most all of us require some level of social interaction.  We need to change the way we view the concept of “home.”

In other stages of life, we tend to accumulate and save.   When we grow older, we tend to simplify and don’t have a desire to accumulate things.  Relationships begin to be more important to us than “things.”

In our earlier years, we take for granted the fact that we can hop in our car to grocery shop, or we can drop by the nearest Lowe’s or Home Depot to pick up parts we need to make a home repair.

Household chores and home maintenance may become a stress over time, and can even pose a physical danger if a ladder or step stool is needed.  Simple things such as bending, stooping, lifting, weed pulling or traversing stairs can cause an injury or even short-term aches and pains that just aren’t worth the trouble.

As people grow older, the opportunities for social interaction can decrease.  Decreased energy levels, reactions to medications and illness, decreased mobility and decreased sense sight and hearing greatly affect our ability to be on the go.  The next step of giving up the car keys causes us to quickly realize that our world is not yet based on serving people in their homes.

Thirty years ago, we were content in the Northwest to live in much smaller spaces.  As time has progressed, there is a trend to want larger and grander living spaces.  Regardless of how much space a person has, they really only tend to use less than 700 square feet of the space they inhabit.

If you feel like you’re “failing” because you’re leaving your home, you’ve bought into some societal belief that moving equates to “not doing well.”  You’re making choices which can actually enhance your independence rather than tie you to the chore of maintaining a home or cause you to become isolated from people.

By selling your home or downsizing to a more simplified living space, you can convert the investment in your home into other investments, or you can use some of the money to make lifestyle changes such as living in a community where services are available.

The prospect of moving is one of the largest stressers for everyone in our world.  Working with a talented, Senior Real Estate Specialist who can walk you through each stage of the process and who can be of emotional support to you during this transition is important.

Call us if you wish to consider redefining your definition of “home,” or if you simply wish to explore what other options exist for you.  866-361-0138.