How COVID-19 turned one move into two and brought a family together.
Three years ago, Cyndi Lesinski’s husband got a call from his great-uncle Jimmy, who had found himself alone in the place he’d called home in Florida.
Healthy and independent at age 90, the Korean War veteran, former casino industry executive and lifelong bachelor had outlived all his siblings in Ohio and all but a few longtime friends. He wanted to be near the few family members he had left, which is how he ended up moving cross-country to Santa Clarita, California, to be near Cyndi and her husband, Mark Eddie, his great-nephew.
The couple, who had grown very fond of Uncle Jimmy during their annual visits to Florida, helped him pare down his stuff by about half, then moved him into a ground-floor condo they bought and furnished for him near their home. Cyndi, a real estate agent for the past 18 years and CEO of Lesinski and Associates, said it felt like they had found the perfect way for Uncle Jimmy to live independently while staying connected.
And then COVID-19 hit. Cyndi, a former social worker, began to worry: If Uncle Jimmy remained in his condo, he would almost certainly have to stay away from others to stay safe. And if he moved to an assisted living facility, he would likely face greater risk of exposure to the coronavirus.
“Living alone during COVID forces seniors into isolation, which can cause someone to age years in just a few months,’’ said Cyndi, whose previous career in social work involved working with seniors and foster children. “Loneliness and isolation lead to a lot of health issues. We were very inclined to not let that happen to our uncle.”
The couple — recent empty-nesters after their two daughters moved out — had a bedroom to spare in their 3-bedroom, 2-bath house. After considering their 1,400 square-foot space, they invited Uncle Jimmy to live with them permanently.
“We wanted to fully commit rather than have an empty condo for him to come back to,’’ she said.
Three years ago, Cyndi Lesinski’s husband got a call from his great-uncle Jimmy, who had found himself alone in the place he’d called home in Florida.
Healthy and independent at age 90, the Korean War veteran, former casino industry executive and lifelong bachelor had outlived all his siblings in Ohio and all but a few longtime friends. He wanted to be near the few family members he had left, which is how he ended up moving cross-country to Santa Clarita, California, to be near Cyndi and her husband, Mark Eddie, his great-nephew.
The couple, who had grown very fond of Uncle Jimmy during their annual visits to Florida, helped him pare down his stuff by about half, then moved him into a ground-floor condo they bought and furnished for him near their home. Cyndi, a real estate agent for the past 18 years and CEO of Lesinski and Associates, said it felt like they had found the perfect way for Uncle Jimmy to live independently while staying connected.
And then COVID-19 hit. Cyndi, a former social worker, began to worry: If Uncle Jimmy remained in his condo, he would almost certainly have to stay away from others to stay safe. And if he moved to an assisted living facility, he would likely face greater risk of exposure to the coronavirus.
“Living alone during COVID forces seniors into isolation, which can cause someone to age years in just a few months,’’ said Cyndi, whose previous career in social work involved working with seniors and foster children. “Loneliness and isolation lead to a lot of health issues. We were very inclined to not let that happen to our uncle.”
The couple — recent empty-nesters after their two daughters moved out — had a bedroom to spare in their 3-bedroom, 2-bath house. After considering their 1,400 square-foot space, they invited Uncle Jimmy to live with them permanently.
“We wanted to fully commit rather than have an empty condo for him to come back to,’’ she said.
The logistics of combining households
The first order of business was selling the condo. Given growing concerns over coronavirus, Cyndi planned to limit showings to one person at a time while Uncle Jimmy stayed at their home during tours. All doors would be left open for appointments, allowing people to look but not touch.
Incredibly, the first buyer to tour the condo offered more than the list price, and the sale closed quickly.
Uncle Jimmy had already whittled his belongings by half before moving from Florida, but he needed to pare down further to fit comfortably in smaller quarters. Since charities had stopped accepting donated goods, Cyndi got creative so that Uncle Jimmy’s stuff wouldn’t end up in the dump.
Cyndi sent photos of free furnishings and housewares to her friends and associates, hopeful that they could use them. The strategy worked. The few items that no one wanted were placed in an area near the garbage at the complex, where they were snatched up within days.
When it came time to move Uncle Jimmy’s remaining belongings, many of the same people who had claimed items during the purge pitched in to help.
In no time, Uncle Jimmy was settled into his bedroom and private bath before COVID-19 began to spread widely.
Figuring out how they would all live together, however, took a bit more planning.
The first order of business was selling the condo. Given growing concerns over coronavirus, Cyndi planned to limit showings to one person at a time while Uncle Jimmy stayed at their home during tours. All doors would be left open for appointments, allowing people to look but not touch.
Incredibly, the first buyer to tour the condo offered more than the list price, and the sale closed quickly.
Uncle Jimmy had already whittled his belongings by half before moving from Florida, but he needed to pare down further to fit comfortably in smaller quarters. Since charities had stopped accepting donated goods, Cyndi got creative so that Uncle Jimmy’s stuff wouldn’t end up in the dump.
Cyndi sent photos of free furnishings and housewares to her friends and associates, hopeful that they could use them. The strategy worked. The few items that no one wanted were placed in an area near the garbage at the complex, where they were snatched up within days.
When it came time to move Uncle Jimmy’s remaining belongings, many of the same people who had claimed items during the purge pitched in to help.
In no time, Uncle Jimmy was settled into his bedroom and private bath before COVID-19 began to spread widely.
Figuring out how they would all live together, however, took a bit more planning.
From garage to great room
“Once he was moved in with us, we had to purge our stuff,’’ Cyndi said. The couple has been together for 34 years, and “we had a lot of stuff we didn’t need. But we’re pretty minimalist so there wasn’t a crazy amount of stuff.”
Most of that stuff, however, was in the garage, which Californians tend to use for storage much the way East Coasters use basements. The couple cleared out the garage and finished the space to create a sitting area, laundry room and an office for Cyndi’s business. The whole process took about two months, she said.
“If we didn’t make that living space, it would be very challenging,’’ she said.
The biggest shift has been for her husband, Mark, a musician and comedian who has been looking after Uncle Jimmy since COVID-19 dried up his gigs. Instead of performing, he’s stepped up as the primary caretaker, a new role that has its own struggles.
“It’s been a little harder on my husband. We always joke, ‘It’s a good thing I like you because we’re in this thing till the end,’’’ she said of her long partnership.
“Once he was moved in with us, we had to purge our stuff,’’ Cyndi said. The couple has been together for 34 years, and “we had a lot of stuff we didn’t need. But we’re pretty minimalist so there wasn’t a crazy amount of stuff.”
Most of that stuff, however, was in the garage, which Californians tend to use for storage much the way East Coasters use basements. The couple cleared out the garage and finished the space to create a sitting area, laundry room and an office for Cyndi’s business. The whole process took about two months, she said.
“If we didn’t make that living space, it would be very challenging,’’ she said.
The biggest shift has been for her husband, Mark, a musician and comedian who has been looking after Uncle Jimmy since COVID-19 dried up his gigs. Instead of performing, he’s stepped up as the primary caretaker, a new role that has its own struggles.
“It’s been a little harder on my husband. We always joke, ‘It’s a good thing I like you because we’re in this thing till the end,’’’ she said of her long partnership.
An adjustment period
Initially, Uncle Jimmy stayed mostly in his room, and the couple had to coax him out.
“He didn’t want to interfere in our lives, and he’d say that he didn’t want to be a bother,’’ Cyndi said.
Whatever adjustments the new living situation has presented, Cyndi is grateful to have this option for Jimmy’s care.
“There are definitely challenges, but you’re always going to face challenges whether they’re living in a nursing home or alone in a condo,’’ she said. “You have to figure out which challenge will help you live your best life.”
Cyndi said her experiences with her uncle have sharpened her empathy for her clients, who are facing a host of new challenges around the virus.
“People are afraid,’’ she said. “They’re unsure and there’s no clarity around the situation. It’s nice to have people in the mix who have clarity. Part of what has helped me be successful as a Realtor is I’m a helper. I’m helping people get from point A to point B.”
The trick, she said, is to stay focused and keep moving forward.
Initially, Uncle Jimmy stayed mostly in his room, and the couple had to coax him out.
“He didn’t want to interfere in our lives, and he’d say that he didn’t want to be a bother,’’ Cyndi said.
Whatever adjustments the new living situation has presented, Cyndi is grateful to have this option for Jimmy’s care.
“There are definitely challenges, but you’re always going to face challenges whether they’re living in a nursing home or alone in a condo,’’ she said. “You have to figure out which challenge will help you live your best life.”
Cyndi said her experiences with her uncle have sharpened her empathy for her clients, who are facing a host of new challenges around the virus.
“People are afraid,’’ she said. “They’re unsure and there’s no clarity around the situation. It’s nice to have people in the mix who have clarity. Part of what has helped me be successful as a Realtor is I’m a helper. I’m helping people get from point A to point B.”
The trick, she said, is to stay focused and keep moving forward.
