ERIC’S STORY
Why This Work Is Personal to Me
My journey into helping seniors and their families began with my own mother, Miriam.
She was a musician, a retired school counselor, a mother of seven, and a grandmother who loved being involved in her family’s life. She had strong opinions, enjoyed good food and conversation, and valued her independence. As her youngest son, I came to understand how much those everyday things mattered as her needs changed.
Around the winter of 2010–2011, my mother injured her hip while hugging my young son, Axel. After surgery and rehabilitation, she was left with drop foot, which made walking more difficult. She continued driving and managing much of her life, but now needed a cane or rollator to get around.
Then, in April 2011, my father passed away. They had been married for 55 years. Along with grieving her husband, my mother faced the challenge of living on her own in their New Hampshire home. Our family sold their Florida property, and she began considering what her next chapter might look like.
In 2014, she sold her home in Windham and moved to Brooksby Village in Peabody. Friends already lived there, and the restaurants, activities, and opportunities for companionship appealed to her. She had a spacious two-bedroom apartment, her piano, and many of the belongings that made it feel like home.
For a while, it worked well. But as walking became harder, navigating a large community became more challenging. Eventually, she needed more assistance.
Over the following years, I helped her through moves to assisted living communities, including Atria, Windsor Place in Wilmington, and finally Stone Hill in Andover. Each move involved much more than choosing an apartment. We had to consider her care needs, the costs, the location, and whether she could feel comfortable and connected there.
There were difficult decisions about belongings, too. Moving into smaller spaces meant letting go of furniture and, eventually, her piano. Later, when driving was no longer safe, she also gave up her car. These were meaningful parts of her independence and identity.
I became her main day-to-day caregiver, helping with bills, coordinating care, and spending time with her. My brothers and sisters remained involved, but living nearby and being self-employed allowed me to visit often and take her shopping. Choosing her own food was something she enjoyed, and I wanted to help her keep making those choices.
When we explored communities, we met with directors, asked about the monthly fees and additional costs for help with daily activities, and stayed for lunch or dinner. We wanted to experience the atmosphere, the food, and the way people interacted. I learned that a beautiful building alone doesn’t tell you whether a place will feel like home.
My mother seemed happiest at Stone Hill. She enjoyed her apartment, the food, and the common spaces, even as she needed more assistance. Then COVID changed her daily life.
Communal dining stopped, visits were restricted, and much of the personal connection she depended on disappeared. I brought groceries, helped with her bills when visits were permitted, and arranged video calls so she could see her family. But a screen could not replace sitting together or hugging a grandchild.
I watched her struggle with that isolation, and I believe it contributed deeply to her decline. She passed away on Christmas morning in 2020.
That experience stays with me. It taught me that helping someone transition into senior living means understanding the whole person—their needs, preferences, relationships, and the choices that help them retain a sense of independence.
How I Want to Help Your Family
Through Reimagined Senior Transitions, I bring that personal experience alongside my real estate background.
My first priority is helping you find a community and level of support that fit your mom or dad. That may mean a little assistance with everyday activities, more substantial support, or memory care. Every family’s circumstances are different, and finding the right fit begins with listening.
I will take the time to understand what matters to your parent and to you. I can help you explore communities, ask thoughtful questions, understand the housing and financial considerations, and work with care professionals as you evaluate appropriate support.
If a home needs to be sold to help pay for care, I can also help you understand your options. Depending on your circumstances, those may include a traditional sale, a fast as-is cash offer, or other approaches that balance timing, convenience, and potential proceeds. We can look at the choices together so the property becomes a resource for the next chapter.
I know what it feels like to be the adult child trying to make good decisions while also being a caregiver, managing responsibilities, and wanting your parent to feel heard.
You don’t have to have everything figured out before we talk. Whether you’re planning for yourself or helping someone you love, I’m here to listen and help you take the next step with compassion and clarity.
Eric S. Erickson
Reimagined Senior Transitions
Helping families move forward.