Next Chapter
by Marille Spanjian
Howard Heinz knew it was time to sell his home. At 78 years old, his health wasn't getting any better. Heart problems and nerve problems in his legs had slowed him down and made daily chores more difficult. He also worried about his wife, Bernice, who suffers from diabetes and uses a walker.
Even when their son Steve, 44 moved in two years ago to help with cooking, it wasn't enough. After 38 years in the same ranch house in Nashville, Howard knew it was time to move on to the next chapter in their lives, someplace where he didn't have to worry about what was for supper or who would do the shopping, take out the trash and mow the yard.
But that was easier said than done.
There were 38 years of memories piled into their 1,600 square-foot home. Boxes stuffed with old craft projects, photo albums, dishes, crystal and dusty sports equipment clouded the picture. Howard couldn't even begin to sift through everything and decide what to keep or sell. He didn't think a moving company would charge a fair price. He had no idea where he wanted to live or what questions to ask.
He just knew it was time to move.
"It wasn't any one thing that caused me to know. Maybe when Bernice got sick. But it was more gradual," he said.
With the daily responsibility of caring for Bernice, he didn't have time to research any solutions until one day he saw an announcement in his church bulletin about a company called Always Home, Inc.
Based in Franklin, Always Home, Inc. was started a year ago by Realtors Mary Ewing and Veanne Stewart with Realty Executives. They saw a need in the community for a company that provided downsizing and relocation services designed specifically with senior citizens in mind.
"We want to help people find a new home, whether it's downsizing to a condo, assisted-living facility or retirement community," Ewing said. "We're like a wedding coordinator. What people pay for is peace of mind. Should it become necessary or at the request of our client, we also can bring the adult child into the decision process."
For an agreed upon fee, Ewing, Stewart and their staff can coordinate everything from preparing a house to sell - including getting estimates for painting, carpeting or hauling debris - to hanging pictures on the walls in their new home. They can assist in finding their new home, condominium or apartment, coordinate the move and the estate sale.
They'll even measure the new home and help the client decide what furniture will fit and what doesn't. And if new window treatments are needed, they'll even arrange for someone to make them. Basically, they do everything that can be emotionally overwhelming when a person moves.
Howard needed Always Home since Bernice was against moving anyplace. From the very first meeting, Ewing and Stewart were there to help Howard through the entire process.
"We want to give each person the same care as if they're our parent," Ewing said.
After reviewing his needs and budget, they supplied him with brochures from various retirement communities in the area and accompanied him to Morningside at Belmont, which offers assisted-living services. As director Candace Campbell reviewed the amenities, Stewart and Ewing sat beside Howard in the decorated lounge.
"Tell me what you're looking for," Campbell said.
"Well, I don't want to go from 1,600 square feet to 300 to 400 square feet. I want two bedrooms. Two baths would be nice," Howard said, his hands folded in this lap.
Although he appeared nervous, it was obvious by his direct manner he had thought this decision over for a long time.
In the end, Howard decided on The Windlands, another high-rise retirement community located on Nolensville Pike in Nashville, because of the price and size of the unit available. There were two units on the 10th floor that they could connect to give him three bedrooms, two baths, a small kitchen, living and dining area and two balconies overlooking richly forested rolling hills.
The building also had personal care service available, like medication management, dressing and grooming, bathing - even sitters, if necessary. There's also a separate assisted-living floor if that's ever needed.
After taking care of some minor repairs, Ewing and Stewart listed the Heinz home on the market. Surprisingly, it sold within four days. Even more stressful was the escrow period - they had only three weeks to sort, sift and organize everything that had accumulated over 50 years of marriage and 38 years in the same house.
Without wasting any time, Ewing and Stewart kicked their services into high gear. They emptied every box in the attic and garage, cleaned out every closed and drawer.
What they found in the process were long-lost memories - a scrapbook bating back to their courtship days in 1943, old photographs of Bernice's mother and grandmother and remnants of craft projects.
"I used to knot, crotchet, and at one time I made all of my clothes, except for my undergarments," Bernice said. There was even an old wooden box neatly stuffed with love letters that Howard had written to Bernice. He was stationed overseas during World War II for the first three years of their marriage.
Within a few days, every item had been reviewed by Ewing, Stewart and Howard or Bernice. "Do we keep it or not?" became the standard question, and then each item was set aside for either the estate sale, or for one of their two grown sons.
When the movers came to pack, Ewing and Stewart were there to oversee the process. They even arranged for Howard and Bernice to stay at a local hotel for the night.
The next day, Ewing and Stewart were at the retirement community to oversee the placement of Howard and Bernice's furniture and to organize their new home. When the couple arrived, even their ceramic spoon rest was set out on the stovetop and the teakettle was ready on the burner.
Bernice appeared surprised and pleased to see her belongings. As her husband guided her hand to the armrest of a wooden chair, Bernice settled in, too exhausted to tour her new home.
"I'd thought I'd always be vigorous. It's hard to give up your home," she said.
"Now, this is it. We used to move every two years. To me, we had a lovely house. Now this is my house." After a long pause, she added, "I'm going to miss my birds."
"We brought the bird bath," Stewart said.
"And my own bed?" Bernice asked.
"Yes," Stewart added.
"Good," Bernice said, "because there's a place I like to sleep on it . . . This is better than what I thought it would be."
While Howard and Bernice began to adjust to their new surroundings, Always Home still had work to finish. There was the estate sale in just a few days that they had to coordinate. After placing the advertisements and posting the directional signs throughout the neighborhood, Always Home was ready.
By 8 a.m. on the day of the sale - three days after the Heinzes moved - there were 50 to 60 people jockeying to come through the front door of their small ranch.
Slowly, Howard and Bernice's belongings sold and disappeared out the front door. Eventually even Bernice's wedding dress and petticoat were gone.
the end, Howard and Bernice are glad they moved. They have their cherished pieces and each other. Together, inside their new four walls, they've found a new home.
Reprinted with permission from The Tennessean, Nashville, TN, Friday, October 2, 1998