Earlier this year, excited to join our newly formed division at Compass serving seniors called Compass Plus, I took classes to become a certified senior Advisor (CSA). It was a fabulous education and opened my eyes to many things. I found myself calling my parents after each new subject matter; for example: urgently warning them about the scams targeting seniors or to discuss their need for durable power of attorney documents.
My CSA education got even more personally helpful this last month, when my parents realized their home was no longer practical or safe for them. In fact, after my dad’s most recent fall resulting in a broken hip, we could see that Assisted Living would be needed.
My parents decided that they wanted to live closer to me, so that meant a move to Vancouver from Port Townsend. Truly a huge lifestyle change in every way. For 25 years, they lived in charming Port Townsend, in a house with soaring ceilings on over an acre surrounded by trees – to move to a small apartment in a retirement community in our delightful (but decidedly larger city) of Vancouver.
I’ve been touring retirement communities regularly since I joined Compass Plus, to gain knowledge of the different options for any clients of mine. My mom came down to explore and I set us up for tours in one of my favorites (The Springs at the Waterfront) along with a couple of others.
She felt completely at home when we toured Prestige Bridgewood – she connected with the people and the vibe. It sent the message home to me that I would never have been able to make a choice like this for her. I love The Springs: the luxury feeling, the river views, the walking trails, the proximity to downtown . . . sign me up! But she didn’t feel at home there.
On Thanksgiving, while the rest of you were feasting on turkey and pie, we obtained the keys to the new apartment and set up the bed and hung some art. Then we used the weekend to make the move. We drove to Port Townsend on Saturday in a rented van, packed up what we could from the house (as pictured: a minivan packed full of furniture), and picked up my dad from the rehab facility, and moved my parents to Bridgewood in the assisted living community on Sunday. It was emotional of course: my mom was in tears when we packed her last suitcase and left the house Sunday morning.
It’s been 24 hours since they checked in to their new home. They’ve had three meals there. The omelet that was served at lunchtime that served as breakfast for them was declared by my mom to be “the best meal I’ve had in this place,” and I had to remind her that it was only the second meal she’s had. They have been welcomed by many and struggled privately in their apartment with physical and emotional problems. It’s been a long 24 hours for all of us. I hope they will make friends, find a community, and embrace all the activities. I am hopeful. I don’t know what the next 30 days will bring, but I do plan to offer an update in the next newsletter and post here. Please stay tuned!
(pictured below: my mom as we were leaving Sunday morning; and the evening before taking a break in packing chaos)
