<p>Since your mom’s in the same house as when her husband was alive and you grew up, it might also be holding her back, just looking around at all those memories. As well, it’s likely expensive to pay the property taxes and utilities, solo, even if there’s no more mortgage. Some people sit too long in their houses. </p>
<p>My mom was in a similar situation because my Dad passed on 3 years ago. It’s taken her 3 years but she’s decided to sell the big, lonely house this Spring. With that, she’ll have enough to move into a smaller apartment that she can maintain, closer to other people. She’ll be much safer if she needs to call on anyone. She doesn’t even need Assisted Living yet, but an apartment’s a lot easier than a whole house to run.</p>
<p>That decision has helped her move forward in her thinking, and not cling to the past. We’re all (my brothers and I) helping her move this summer. After a while, it’s no great benefit for a widow to live in the old family house. If she gets a one-bedroom, or perhaps two-bedroom apartment, and you assure her you’ll still come to visit her (in the guest bedroom or living room couch), she’ll have a chance to move where others are nearby.</p>
<p>My mom thought the old house was consoling her, but after 3 years, it no longer was. It was just holding her backwards.</p>
<p>In case that helps you think about some options for your mom. We expect that the sale of my mom’s house will finance many years of apartment living. You could even run a garage sale for her this summer, and split the money from all that dusty old stuff.</p>