Thousands of elderly people change housing each year due to unsuitable homes, loss of autonomy, or the desire to be closer to their children. This crucial step must be anticipated and supported by relatives. The story of an octogenarian couple recently settled near Rouen illustrates the challenges and joys of such a move.
Each year, thousands of elderly people choose to change housing due to unsuitable accommodations, loss of autonomy, or the desire to be closer to their children. This transition is a crucial step that relatives must anticipate and support carefully.
The example of a couple illustrates these realities. Last August, an octogenarian visited a single-story house in Franqueville-Saint-Pierre, near Rouen, twice. Both times, she burst into tears, moved by the prospect of having a garden again, vital for this woman who always had one before moving 9 years ago to an apartment in Cergy to which «she never adapted». «She loves plants and birds», says her daughter Magali.
This house is now theirs. The couple moved in a month ago with Samuel, 89 years old. «I don’t have many years left to live and I wanted to end in style», comments the octogenarian humorously. Her daughter, who lives nearby, rejoices: «My father is doing well. My mother thinks their settling in is not fast enough because there are still many boxes in the garage. They know very well that this is their last house but, from what they tell me, they feel good there».