I have the true PRIVLEGE of helping people with HUGE changes. This part of what I do for a living – is truly the one that brings me the most joy!
I don’t have a specific “Category” of people I love working with – I truly enjoy them all!
I could write a BLOG post on every one!!!!
– First time home buyers
– Families or couples moving UP
– Investors
– People transferring – in or out – of our great city
– Lifestyle changes/personal reasons
– Divorce/Loss
(so tough…but so important to work with the right person in these highly sensitive situations)
– Downsizing
In May of 2020 – I took a course and attained a new real estate designation – Seniors Real Estate Specialist®.
5 years later – I am thrilled to say that I am still LOVING helping my clients who are defined as SENIORS.
*Fun Fact – Ask ten different people, at what age someone is considered a “senior”, and you’ll receive ten different answers. Do a quick Google search, and you’ll have hundreds of thousands of differing opinions. The fact is, what age is considered senior – can be a very subjective topic. Just ask anyone who has been asked at a store if they want the “seniors discount” 😉 Did you know – that in Canada, nearly half of the population is over 50 years old!!! I was born in 1969. So – I am in this category too! This trend is largely due to the aging baby boomer generation and increased life expectancy.
There’s a good chance someone you love — maybe a parent, a grandparent, a neighbour, a sibling or a close family friend — is preparing to leave their long-time home. It’s a big step. Not just logistically – but emotionally, too.
As a Calgary-based realtor – who has helped many seniors and their families navigate this journey PLUS helped my own mother and mother in law, I want to offer some guidance, local resources and most importantly — reassurance.
Let’s start here: this move isn’t just about square footage or packing boxes. It’s about leaving behind years — often decades — of memories, comfort, and familiarity.
It’s okay for this to feel hard.
Begin slowly. Sit down with your loved one and talk about what matters most to them — the people, the stories, and the things they’ve held onto. Go through one room at a time. Laugh over old photos. Cry if you need to. Give yourselves permission to take it day by day. Invite family members in to choose items that will help them remember their own individual cherished memories of the home. What they choose may surprise you…and the process can be very comforting.
If your loved one has passed – or is not able to be a part of the transition – you are not alone in this.
I can help – PLUS Calgary Has Wonderful Help options. There are some truly kind and thoughtful professionals here in Calgary – who specialize in helping seniors transition smoothly:
Angels Estates Consulting Buy & Sell – 12 years of extensive experience in estate disposition. They will take you by the hand and help you along every step of the way. Plus I know Melanie the owner personally! www.angelsestateconsulting.net
Soft Landings – They help organize, pack, and settle seniors into their new space in a way that feels gentle and respectful.
softlandinghomes.ca
YYC Downsizing – A full-service team that understands how emotionally charged this time can be. They offer calm, steady support from beginning to end.
yycdownsizing.com
Genie Senior Services – They work closely with families to declutter and downsize with sensitivity and care.
genieseniorservices.com
Paramount Moving – Their senior services are designed to be patient and thoughtful, with a strong focus on reducing stress.
paramountmoving.ca
*They also know about trusted local charities where you can donate, sell, or re-home items that are no longer needed.
These folks know it’s not just a move — it’s a meaningful life transition. They do this every day…they are truly amazing humans – there to help.
Attn: adult children or family caregivers:
You’re doing something incredibly meaningful — and also incredibly HARD. You’re juggling emotions, logistics – and often your own family and work life on top of it all!
Please remember: you don’t have to do everything perfectly. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. It’s okay to ask for help.
Support is available for you, too. The Kerby Centre and Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society both offer programs for caregivers, including counseling, information sessions and even companionship services if your loved one is feeling isolated.
Lean on professionals when you need to.
Breathe.
And know that you are making such a HUGE difference to your loved one — even if it doesn’t always feel that way in the moment…..
Helping someone move out of their home — their safe place — is not a task, it’s a journey. It’s full of memories, hard decisions and sometimes tears. But it can also be a time of connection, laughter and even healing.
You don’t have to have all the answers. You just need to show up with care — and trust that there is support around you.
If you ever need someone to talk through next steps, or just someone who understands what this feels like, I’m always here to help. When I say “I get it”… I mean it.