Bonnie Sandler | Blog | Residential Real Estate Broker, Housing

20 Jun 2019

Moving day

July 1st is not just the Canada Day; it is also, in Quebec, the moving day.
Indeed, it is customary, for many tenants, to schedule his move on July...

09 Jun 2019

Real Estate Services

Bonnie Sandler is happy to assist in all your real estate needs.
She works with other professionals and agencies to make moving as easy as possi...

09 Jun 2019

Bonnie's Blog

Bonnie is a columnist for The Senior Times.
Her column ‘Let’s Talk About It’ addresses subjects associated with our senior population. Read, share...

08 Jun 2019

Seniors Services

Evaluation, formulation of a care plan, placement and referral.
Allow Bonnie to take out the stress from your day and guide you through every step...

17 Mar 2017

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT: HOLDING ONTO FAMILY HISTORY

Posted in the Senior Times Nov/2016
When we’re young we want to forge a new identity and separate ourselves from our parents and their possessions;...

17 Mar 2017

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT: WILL WE EVER UNDERSTAND GRIEF?

Posted in the Senior Times Jan/2017
As 2016 comes to an end, we wonder what the year meant to us. It’s been a rough year in many accounts, with man...

16 Nov 2016

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT: DO THE RESEARCH WHEN CONSIDERING A PRIVATE RESIDENCE

The food is not to your liking.
Mealtimes do not suit you.
The activities are not interesting and not always in the language you speak.
The residen...

16 Nov 2016

BONNIE SANDLER: SOCIAL WORKER, REAL ESTATE BROKER — AND YES, COLUMNIST

Please click here for stories and remembrances from The Senior Times newsroom as it celebrates its 30th anniversary.
I used to dream of being a roc...

16 Nov 2016

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT: GOING TO BAT FOR YOUR LOVED ONE: IS IT ENERGY WELL-...

Lodging a complaint in a private residence is very different than doing so in a public facility. In the public system there is a line of accountabi...

14 Apr 2016

Remembering a wonderful Nanny in her prime

As told to Bonnie Sandler by Mikaela Sandler
My grandmother always had a unique personality. Nanny was not the kind of grandmother to bake cookie...

12 Mar 2016

Let’s Talk About It: Be wary of cold-callers who want to pay a visit

My friend received a call from her elderly mother, asking her to be at her house the next evening at 6. Her mother explained that a man had pho...

12 Mar 2016

Pricing, staging and other tips from Montreal real-estate brokers

It’s become a cliché—buying a home is probably the most important investment most of us make. But selling that home is at least as important.
To ex...

19 Nov 2015

Quebec's eldercare challenge: Families unprepared to navigate the system

Karen Seidman - Montreal Gazette
It might begin with a broken hip. Or a senior who has frequented the same grocery store 1,000 times suddenly getti...

13 Oct 2015

In survivor’s case, protocol trumped common sense

Let’s Talk About it
Bonnie Sandler
A client in his late 80s recently landed in a hospital’s emergency unit, where he was diagnosed with dementia. ...

04 Sep 2015

Let’s Talk About It: What of the orphaned elderly?

Who looks out for seniors who have no family or friends to look out for them? A recent story that went viral caught my attention.
An 81-year-old t...

13 May 2015

Let’s Talk About It: Sibling relationships change as parents lose capacity

Let’s Talk About It: Sibling relationships change as parents lose capacity
Bonnie Sandler, The Senior Times – May 14 BY: BONNIE SANDLER BS.W
Havin...

14 May 2014

Mothers, aging and the greatest love story ever told

Bonnie Sandler, The Senior Times – May 14
BY: BONNIE SANDLER BS.W
Robert Munsch, the Canadian author of the most loved children’s books, publishe...

18 Apr 2014

Let’s Talk About It: Fresh air for the heart and soul

Bonnie Sandler, The Senior Times – April 18
BY: BONNIE SANDLER BS.W
Spring has arrived. Along with green leaves and colourful blooms is the desir...

14 Mar 2014

Let’s Talk About It: Confusion in defining autonomy

Bonnie Sandler, The Senior Times – March, 2014
BY: BONNIE SANDLER BS.W
Researching a definition for autonomy in seniors, I became more confused w...

15 Feb 2014

Let’s Talk About It: Magic of music validated with dementia project

Bonnie Sandler, The Senior Times – February, 2014
BY: BONNIE SANDLER BS.W
I recently attended the 2014 Canadian Conference on Dementia in Vancouv...

15 Dec 2013

Let’s Talk About It: Who cares for the caregivers?

Bonnie Sandler, The Senior Times – December, 2013
BY: BONNIE SANDLER BS.W
Holidays are especially stressful for family caregivers. Memories of ha...

24 Sep 2013

Let’s Talk About It: Look, listen, double-check to detect neglect

Bonnie Sandler, The Senior Times – September 21, 2013
BY: BONNIE SANDLER BS.W
We read stories about neglect of seniors, be it at home or in publ...

22 Jul 2013

Let’s Talk About It: Location, location, language

Bonnie Sandler, The Senior Times – June 1, 2013
BY: BONNIE SANDLER BS.W
Many seniors live in neighbourhoods that once matched their needs. Flash...

26 Mar 2013

Rescuing Nana: A grandchild's instinct

Bonnie Sandler, The Senior Times – March 2013 BY: MIKAELA SANDLER Please welcome guest columnist Mikaela Sandler, daughter of regular contributo...

15 Mar 2013

Personal alarm systems are not foolproof

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times – March 2013
BY: BONNIE SANDLER, BS.W.
Many of us worry about parents living alone and their ability to g...

28 Jan 2013

Walking in Montreal’s winter wonderland can be a dangerous proposal

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times –January 2013
BY: BONNIE SANDLER, BS.W.
[caption id="attachment_752" align="alignnone" width="600"] Walk ca...

10 Nov 2012

Shopping, exercize and common sense

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times – November 2012
BY: BONNIE SANDLER, BS.W.
I am a sucker for gimmicks that promise a quick fix to a problem....

23 Oct 2012

Seniors residences: When your needs change, your home should, tooSeniors...

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times – September 2012
BY: BONNIE SANDLER, BS.W.
You struggle with your ambivalence and finally decide to move to...

13 Sep 2012

Inner artist should be given a chance to blossom at any age

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times – September 2012
BY: BONNIE SANDLER, BS.W.
Many residences have beautifully equipped art rooms with wonderf...

16 Jul 2012

Fresh Air Vital for Living, Healing

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times – July 2012
Montreal has its share of hot and humid days, but most summer days offer enjoyable weather. On t...

15 Jun 2012

Should senior discounts be available to all?

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times – June 2012
While the age limit varies, seniors are eligible for discounts at some stores, restaurants, hote...

06 May 2012

Dementia complicates parent-child dynamic

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times – May 2012
When we think of “mother,” we think of someone who loves her children unconditionally, placing th...

12 Apr 2012

Stranger on the phone isn’t a friend

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times – April 2012
I am unable to keep track of the number of phone calls I receive each week from people who eith...

03 Mar 2012

Consider downsizing as a means of simplifying your lifestyle

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times – March 2012
As I prepare for my second downsize in four years, I look around my condo and am shocked by the...

20 Feb 2012

100 is the new 80 – move it or lose it

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times – February 2012
Some newer residences have fitness rooms with exercise machines. Unfortunately, I have yet t...

03 Dec 2011

Tech if necessary, but not necessarily tech

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times – December 2011
For whatever reason, my brain will not learn the proper name for what I refer to as “the whi...

20 Nov 2011

Smiles are your first positive clue

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times – November 2011
If you have been shopping for a senior’s residence, you probably know that many residences a...

23 Oct 2011

On turning 25, and what the future holds

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times – October 2011
Who better to write about turning 25 than my favourite (and only) niece, who just celebrated ...

10 Sep 2011

Remember, all seven days are created equal

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times – September 2011
For many of us, Monday to Friday represents our workweek. We look forward to the weekends f...

03 Jul 2011

Finding love in all the right residences

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times – July 2011
It seems that the topic of choice in the senior world these days is the closing of residences. I...

03 Jun 2011

Speak to your MP about their plans for the new Alzheimer’s reality

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times – June 2011
At a recent international conference on Alzheimer’s disease, held in Toronto, I listened to many...

03 Apr 2011

If there’s no need to cook, a kitchen area can be confusing, frustrating

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times – March 2011
I am always intrigued to observe the reactions of loved ones when they visit full care faciliti...

30 Mar 2011

Dignity, kindness along Old Brewery “zipper line”

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times - March 2011

At Christmas time, my daughter and I tried to sign up to volunteer to serve dinner at the Old ...

04 Feb 2011

Will your true loved ones please stand up

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times - February 2011
A loved one is “a person you love, usually a member of your family,” according to the Word W...

04 Dec 2010

Being in the hospital is hard enough without worrying about finances

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times - December 2010
Sadly, because of a loved one’s illness and subsequent death, I spent much of my time in a ho...

04 Nov 2010

When looking for a residence, ask an expert, not your hairstylist

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times - November 2010
When assessing and understanding the needs of loved ones, knowing the family’s preferences, ...

08 Oct 2010

Is there such a thing as a forever home?

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times - October 2010
Having grown up in a home that afforded little privacy from my bedroom to the main living spa...

10 Sep 2010

Early bird, night owls need flexible meeting times

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times - September 2010
I remember lining up for early-bird specials when vacationing in Florida with my parents. W...

02 Apr 2010

Parents' finances can be a touchy topic

Bonnie Sandler S.W, The Senior Times - April 2010
I am contacted by a daughter whose mother is considering a move to a senior residence.
The daug...

20 Mar 2010

Take that window of opportunity

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times - March 2010
There are three categories of senior residences within the private sector: autonomous, assisted...

25 Feb 2010

Respect wishes of cognitively impaired when addressing them

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times - February 2010
Alzheimer’s and related dementias rob a person of many abilities but should not rob them of ...

18 Dec 2009

Adjusting to ambiguous loss a lasting trouble

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times - December 2009
We feel “ambiguous loss” for people who are physically present but psychologically absent. Y...

10 Nov 2009

Adjusting to changes improves daily living

Bonnie Sandler S.W., The Senior Times - November 2009
Physical abilities decline with age. There can be deficiencies related to hearing, vision, m...

06 Oct 2009

Older tenants may need help standing up for their rights

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - October 2009
When it comes to dealing with leases, some seniors become susceptible to unscrupulous landlo...

05 Sep 2009

Moderate drinking works when socializing with friends

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - September 2009
Articles about preventing dementia are numerous. The most recent one I read was in the Mon...

04 Jul 2009

Sharing magical moments of music

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - July 2009
Music is a unique language, a special form of communication. We appreciate music even when we d...

03 Jun 2009

Making decisions for a parent is difficult

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - June 2009
Your parent has received a diagnosis of dementia. After years of concern this should not come a...

10 May 2009

Changing roles: Parenting the parent

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - May 2009
I remember when I was in my early 40s reading an article about turning 50. This was described as...

04 Apr 2009

Do you have to ask the question?

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - April 2009
The first thing I do when I bump in to a family I have worked with is to greet the Alzheimer i...

01 Mar 2009

Working with and not against the need to hide and hoard

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - March 2009
A common behaviour of individuals with Alzheimer’s is to hide or hoard items. Sometimes there ...

05 Feb 2009

Caring for the whole person

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - February 2009
We read so much about the isolation and loneliness of the caregiver. Friends tend to disapp...

03 Dec 2008

Making the holiday season joyful for your loved one

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - December 2008
The holidays are quickly approaching and reminders are everywhere. Christmas carols can be ...

07 Nov 2008

Before your sign on the dotted line

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - November 2008

The decision to move into a residence, either for you or a loved one, is emotionally exhau...

17 Oct 2008

What is a Mandate and do you need one?

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - October 2008
In my assessments of families dealing with Alzheimer’s, I will ask whether there is a mandat...

19 Sep 2008

Sharing secret thoughts

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - September 2008
Alzheimer's Disease is a long journey taking a family through many stages as the disease p...

24 Aug 2008

Take advantage of our short summer

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - August 2008
It’s not a coincidence that requests for my social work services decrease in the summer month...

10 Jul 2008

To drive or not to drive

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - July 2008
All too often when I ask families about their loved one’s driving abilities after a diagnosis o...

22 Jun 2008

Enjoy the moment: Embrace the experience

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - June 2008
Caregivers tell me about shared laughter and special moments with the person they’re caring for...

22 May 2008

Worrying about the glass of wine

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - May 2008
Let’s talk about it
In my assessments of individuals with cognitive impairment, I have noticed ...

05 Apr 2008

Caregiving with dignity

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - April 2008
Language for children should not be used for adults, regardless of any cognitive deficiency. A...

05 Mar 2008

Setting up the room for your loved one

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - March 2008
A move into a care facility can be eased with proper room preparation. Most care facilities wi...

22 Feb 2008

Choosing a private Residence (Part 3/3 on Alzheimer's care)

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - February 2008
This article is the third of three discussing care for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer...

05 Dec 2007

When home care no longer works (Part 2/3 on Alzheimer's care)

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - December 2007
This article is the second of three discussing care for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheime...

05 Nov 2007

Homecare for Alzheimer's: First choice (Part 1/3 on Alzheimer's care)

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - November 2007
This article is the first of three discussing care for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer...

05 Oct 2007

Safety is not negotiable

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - October 2007
Individuals affected by Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (AD/RD) gradually lose the...

05 Sep 2007

Alzheimer’s Disease: sorting out all the information

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - September 2007
In trying to keep up with information on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (AD/RD)...

05 Aug 2007

Challenging behaviour — again and again and again

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - July/August 2007
Caregivers for Alzheimer affected individuals know how many challenging behaviours there...

05 Jun 2007

Is it Alzheimer’s or just forgetfulness?

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - June 2007
We all have moments of forgetfulness, often lightheartedly referred to as senior moments. Leavi...

05 May 2007

Caregiver support groups: are they right for you?

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - May 2007
Most often, when I suggest a support group to a client they quickly respond negatively. They hes...

05 Apr 2007

Rule #1 for caregivers: Do not argue with your loved one

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - April 2007
We have been taught from an early age to communicate with others by using logic and reason. Wh...

05 Mar 2007

Dementia no longer a shameful secret

Bonnie Sandler, S.W., The Senior Times - March 2007
Chatting with a friend over lunch, the conversation turned to the popular TV show Grey’s Anato...