Allen Unrau
Allen Unrau writes a weekly column relating to "reallife" seniors issues in Abbotsford BC. He is actively involved as a volunteer with numerous seniors' organizations in the Fraser Valley. He is a grandfather of eight and works as a licensed realtor specializing in seniors Real Estate, which helps seniors and their families with the purchase or sale of homes in the Fraser Valley.
Don’t Complain They are too Busy For You
Harold is seventy-three and lives alone. Six months ago he made a big transition from the family home to a two-bedroom apartment. It was amazing how many folks were there to help with the packing and the move. His oldest son Bruce even took time off work to oversee the whole affair. Quite frankly, Harold is [...] Read More >
Family Decisions – Who Decides What?
You feel that your mother should move. She wants to stay right where she is and can give you ten good reasons for her decision. You tell her that you have noticed some changes in her life lately and she should take some timely advice. She takes offence at your “intrusion” into her affairs and [...] Read More >
Have You Lost Your Good Friends?
Ellen is a natural hostess. Her townhome is cozy and comfortable but not decorated so perfectly that you feel uncomfortable sitting on her furniture. She always makes you feel at home…never too busy to stop and spend an hour with you in her kitchen. Speaking of that kitchen – the home-made baking that comes out of [...] Read More >
His and Hers Retirement Dreams
Even in retirement, Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus. How many men and women truly know the retirement fantasies or fears inside their partners’ heads? How do you picture your future and how do you think your ideas line up with your partner’s hopes and dreams? Are you single? What’s coming for [...] Read More >
Is Your M-I-L a Source of Annoyance?
Victoria’s mother-in-law is 80 years old. Even after forty years, their relationship is rocky and she still has unresolved issues that gnaw away at her. Last week, just for interest’s sake, Victoria tried to recall the number of times that her M-I-L had given her a gift with no strings attached. The only item that she could [...] Read More >
Is Your Will Fair?
Should each child get an equal share? Does your estate plan provide for equal or equitable distributions? (They are not necessarily the same.) Have you thought through the right way and the wrong way of leaving money and property to your children? Estate planning should deal with relationships as well as $ dollars. Do you believe that [...] Read More >
Living Near Your Children…Bonus or Bad Move?
Half a century ago most families stayed in the same area. You lived your life in close proximity to most of your relatives. Children would marry and move away from home. This “moving away from home” usually meant a few miles or at most it may have been the next town where they established their [...] Read More >
Suicide Needs Solitude
Jack will jump off the bridge today. He won’t stop traffic as he leaves this world. He’s not a publicity seeker. At mid-span he’ll slide over the safety railing onto a protruding support beam and plunge fifteen stories to his death. Last week he dropped a stone over the edge to time the fall. Seven seconds. A book [...] Read More >
The Penny Agreement
Moving sale: Saturday 10-2. Antique furniture and carpets. English bone china. Female apricot poodle – tiny, affectionate and loving. Panasonic microwave, as new. Polly is moving to a care home. Apartment 405 has been wonderful. Fifteen years of comfort and security with a fabulous view of Morningside Park, but now it’s time. It’s impossible to stay [...] Read More >
Who’s the Curly Haired Boy in the Photo?
Shawna has become the family genealogist. She is fascinated with the family tree and does a good job of keeping everyone up to date with births, deaths and marriages. Because she is interested in the family history, she is always on the lookout for old family photos. She is known to scour basements and attics in [...] Read More >
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