Henry's a big man, about 6'2", which is unusual for a man his age--75. He used to drop by my office in Poulsbo to talk about his latest ladies. And he is a kind man, volunteering for years at a local charity.Henry's in trouble now. He's suffering from Parkinson's Disease, and although he has social security and owns his small home--on 2.5 acres--but he has no other means of support. He's not in trouble because of foolish consumerism--he's in trouble because age is catching up to him.
Henry called me last week to ask me to put his home on the market. I don't want to do it. He's comfortable where he is, and he doesn't need the stress of selling. Besides, what would he do next? Spend the money on an assisted living facility?
His family apparently is of no help, something I have a hard time understanding. I would hate to see their names in his will, but I'm keeping my mouth shut. One thing is for sure: Henry can't take the proceeds from the sale of his home with him when he passes, and it appears that it won't be very long before he does.
I'm gathering advice to help Henry stay where he is. Do you have any I can pass along? If two heads are better than one, I'll bet 200 hundred are even better than that. Please leave your comment if you can. I'll post news from time to time as I have it. Thanks in advance.
4 comments:
Is any of Henry's land grazable?
Perhaps he could board some animals
for a monthly fee, horses, cattle,
goats etc, or lease the land to
farm for edible produce for cash and some of the grown product,
Man of the seven seas
I don't have any advice, but I did come across a nice quote by Henry van Dyke: "Every house where love abides And friendship is a guest, Is surely home, and home, sweet home, For there the heart can rest." I hope that your friend finds a solution that is right for him, so that he can rest as well.
Would a reverse mortgage help Henry out? If I understand the process correctly, it would give him some income now, when he needs it. The amount of money loaned against his property would then be deducted from the net income on the sale of his property when he is gone, negatively affecting only his heirs, not him.
Does Henry need help with food and housekeeping? There are agencies out there who are available who try to help keep people in their homes. Catholic Community Services is one.
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