Real Stories: A Godsend When It Was Time to Make a Change
When the decision is made to stop driving or move from your longtime home into an assisted living community, it is easy to think the process is simply about giving up your car and finding a new place to live.
The reality is very different.
A successful transition may involve:
Transportation
Choosing the right community
Medical coordination
Legal documents
Moving
Packing
Preparing the home for sale
Changing utilities and addresses
Deciding what possessions to keep
Selling the home
And then there is the emotional side.
Sometimes, the hardest part is not knowing what needs to be done. It is knowing where to begin.
I learned that firsthand when I turned 93.
My mind was made up — I was going to stop driving. I reached out to Mike Flahaven to help me donate my car to charity, and he was able to locate a worthy cause.
When they towed my car away, it was emotional, and Mike stood by my side. I had owned it for years, but I knew that was what my husband would have wanted me to do.
That was just the beginning.
I had lived in my townhome for 20 years. As my mobility became more difficult, navigating the home with a walker and wheelchair became a daily struggle. Even with home health care staying overnight three times a week to help with showering, preparing some meals, and doing light housekeeping, life was becoming increasingly difficult.
I knew I needed help.
So I called Mike.
And did he ever step up to the plate.
Mike explained that choosing an assisted living community involved more than simply selecting a building. It was important to consider my needs, the services available, the environment, and whether the community would be a good fit for me.
He provided information on three different assisted living communities, arranged virtual tours, and answered all of my questions.
Once I decided where I wanted to relocate, Mike took care of the rest.
And that is when I learned just how many moving parts there can be in a downsizing transition.
Mike sat down with my son, Joseph, and me and went through the paperwork needed to complete the move.
He coordinated with my doctor.
He arranged for the movers and the packing and unpacking.
He helped set up Spectrum at my new apartment.
He made sure my postal address was changed.
He listed my townhome — and sold it in one day.
But there were other important matters that could easily have been overlooked.
Mike connected us with an elder law attorney to make sure my directives were properly put in place for my son, Joseph, and to review my will so it could be updated.
Then there was the question of what to do with the belongings I could no longer take with me.
Some of my remaining household items were placed into an estate sale being conducted at another one of Mike’s listings. The rest was packed up by Mike and his team and donated to a local charity.
Looking back, I realize that the move itself was only one part of the transition.
What made the difference was having someone who understood all the other pieces that had to come together — and who could coordinate them for me.
My son Joseph saw that firsthand.
From My Son’s Perspective
Mike, you truly are a godsend.
I appreciate your expertise in senior care and everything you did to make my mother’s transition painless and smooth.
From the concerns about moving, packing, and preparing her home for sale, to the legalities and the endless details involved in making a move like this happen, you knew how to execute each step.
What I especially admire about Mike is his integrity and honesty.
As a Realtor, there is none better.
He did not simply help us sell a house. He helped us navigate an important life transition, and he was there for all the extras — the things we did not necessarily know we needed until they had to be handled.
My mother and I are incredibly appreciative of everything Mike did for us.
We both owe Mike a big thank you.
— Valerie O. & Joe Ob.
