THE FOURTH QUARTER

At our ages---both mid-eighties---my wife and I know we are in the late fourth quarter of our game of life. Thank God, we both have our senses, which in this age of increasing dementia, is a blessing. My wife has undergone some health setbacks these last two years, including shunt surgery to restore balance, a mini-stroke of the left eye costing her vision in that eye and wildly fluctuating blood pressure. She is doing much better now and has the blood pressure under control, thank God, after experimentation by her cardiologist in finding the right balance of prescription drugs. As for me, I have the normal aches and pains of someone my age, including arthritis, more tottering on my feet, spinal degeneration in lumbars 4 and 5, causing sciatica on occasions and orthostatic hypotension ( the medical term for blood pressure decreasing on occasions when I stand up after lying down or sitting for long periods causing dizziness if I get up too quickly). Not too bad for someone my age.

We have debated going into care complexes where you pass through the stages of independent living, assisted living and final hospital and/or hospice care. We have two excellent facilities near us; in fact, we put a deposit on one, which was smaller and more attractive to us. But our hearts weren’t really into this kind of group living, plus they are quite expensive---over six thousand a month plus extra expenses like dining in their facilities if you choose not to cook. It is not cheap health insurance.

We have owned for thirty-six years a condominium on the beach here on Sanibel Island in Florida where we have lived permanently for eleven years. We bought the condo in 1977 as a get-away retreat which could be rented when we were not there. Over the years we have built up a sizeable clientele of renters and have earned some good income from rentals. It is a small complex as condos go with only thirty-eight units, and we know many of the owners there. We are particularly close with the board of directors (I served as a director for twelve years) and several of these directors and spouses have encouraged us to move into our condo permanently. They have a harmonious and good life together and take a collective interest in watching out for each other. “Don’t worry,” they say, “come join us and we’ll watch over you.”

So, that’s what we’ve decided to do. We will this fall put our house up for sale. We have started interviewing realtors and are encouraged that the market here is recovering nicely and condos and homes are being sold at improved prices. Sanibel, being a resort, never felt the decline like most places, with a decline of 15-20% maximum, but now prices are rising again and sales activity has increased. Yes, we will be giving up rental income, but the sale of the house should generate sufficient funds to enable us to live comfortably. With a panoramic view directly on a beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, life can be lovely.

If you are in the fourth quarter, try to enjoy the game. This solution should work.