How My Family Inspired SeniorsMatter.ca: Real Help for Boomers and Their Loved Ones. Vivien Sharon

Why I Created SeniorsMatter.ca for Boomers, Seniors and Their Families by Vivien Sharon

My family recently celebrated a milestone that felt nothing short of miraculous, my mother’s 100th birthday. It was a moment filled with joy, reflection and deep gratitude. Just one year earlier, when she was 99, my mother suffered a terrible fall. It was sudden and traumatic, and it sent our entire family, especially us, her adult children, into a complete state of worry and panic.

We didn’t know what would come next. Would she recover? Would she regain mobility? Would she be able to return home? The fear was overwhelming. We found ourselves navigating hospital systems, care planning, looking after her finances, and the raw emotion that comes when the person who has always cared for you now needs your care in return.

But in true form, my mother amazed us all. Through sheer determination and incredible strength, she recovered. Today, she continues to live at home with the support of full-time care. Celebrating her 100th birthday was more than a milestone. It was a celebration of resilience, love, and family. That experience changed me. It reminded me how quickly life can shift and how important it is to be prepared, not just logistically, but emotionally.

Some years ago, I experienced a transition of my own. I downsized from the large suburban family home where I raised my children in North York. Like so many Baby Boomers, I found myself standing at the edge of change. My children were grown, my day-to-day life had shifted, and my house felt too large. Still, the idea of moving was daunting. Letting go of decades of memories, sorting through closets filled with sentimental pieces, and preparing to embrace a different lifestyle brought up a mix of emotions.

In the end, I moved into a condo in Yorkville, Toronto. The transition was emotional, but it was also empowering. I realized that downsizing isn’t about giving up, it’s about making space for what’s next. It’s about designing a life that supports who you are today, not who you were twenty years ago. My new home is simpler, but also more connected. I walk to everything I need. I feel energized by the city around me. 

These two personal experiences, helping my mother through a health crisis and navigating my own downsizing journey, profoundly shaped the way I see my role as a real estate professional. I’ve always been committed to my clients, but these experiences deepened my empathy and gave me a new perspective on the kinds of transitions so many families go through. I realized that what people need during these times goes far beyond buying and selling homes. They need guidance. They need compassion. They need a resource they can trust.

That’s why I created SeniorsMatter.ca.

This website has been more than a year in the making, but in truth, it’s been in my heart for much longer. SeniorsMatter.ca was built for Baby Boomers exploring what’s next, seniors looking to simplify or plan ahead, and adult children who suddenly find themselves in a caregiving role. It’s a trusted, local resource that helps families in Toronto and the GTA navigate the emotional, practical, and often overwhelming aspects of late-in-life real estate and transition planning.

This isn’t just another real estate website. It’s a reflection of my life’s work, and my life experience.

As a Lifestyle 55+ MASTER REALTOR® and one of the founding Canadian members of the Seniors Real Estate Advisor (SREA) group, I’ve received advanced training to help seniors and their families with compassionate, informed, and highly specialized service. Through my affiliation with SeniorCareAccess.com, Canada’s largest unbiased seniors housing and services directory, I’m part of a national network of professionals who are all committed to improving how we support aging adults through change.

But knowledge alone isn’t enough. What families need is a roadmap, and that’s exactly what SeniorsMatter.ca provides.

The site is built around five pillars. Each one represents a key area where people need support when facing later-life transitions. These pillars reflect not just what I’ve studied, but what I’ve lived.

1. Seniors Real Estate

Real estate decisions later in life aren’t just about location or price; they’re about timing, legacy, accessibility, and emotional readiness. Whether you're looking to downsize, relocate closer to family, or sell a property on behalf of a parent, this section helps you understand what’s involved and what to expect. It includes real-world guidance, tips for decluttering and preparing a home for market, and insight into how to approach the process with grace and confidence.

https://seniorsmatter.ca/seniors-real-estate

2. Lifestyle Options

This pillar is all about reimagining what daily life can look like. Not every senior wants to slow down; many want to pivot. Whether it’s moving to a walkable neighbourhood, living near the arts and culture they love, or being closer to grandkids, lifestyle matters. This section helps you consider how your surroundings can enhance your quality of life, with articles and tools to help you envision a future that excites you, not just suits you.

https://seniorsmatter.ca/lifestyle-options

3. Housing Options

From aging in place with modifications to retirement residences and everything in between, this section explores the range of housing possibilities available in Toronto and the GTA. It breaks down the pros and cons of condos, rentals, co-housing models, blended family arrangements, and assisted living communities. With cost comparisons and access tools, you’ll feel informed rather than overwhelmed.

https://seniorsmatter.ca/senior-housing-options

4. Surviving Partner Support

Losing a partner is a deeply emotional and life-changing event. During this time, families often face decisions around real estate, finances, and living arrangements. This pillar offers thoughtful advice and support for those navigating grief while figuring out what comes next, whether that means staying in the family home, moving, or restructuring their lives.

https://seniorsmatter.ca/surviving-partner

5. Estates

When a loved one passes away, the responsibilities of managing their estate often fall to a spouse or adult child. It can be emotionally draining and legally complex. This section offers guidance on everything from preparing an estate property for sale to working through family dynamics and connecting with professional services that can help lighten the load.

https://seniorsmatter.ca/estate-planning

These five pillars serve as the foundation of SeniorsMatter.ca, but what brings them to life is the tone and care woven throughout the site. This isn’t a place for generic advice or high-pressure sales. It’s a place to feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Whether you're just starting to explore your options or you're in the middle of a family crisis, this site is here to meet you where you are. You’ll find articles, video tips, planning tools, checklists, local service referrals, and real stories from people who have walked this path before. My hope is that when you land on the site, you’ll take a deep breath and feel less alone.

And if you want to talk, I’m here.

Whether you’re considering a move for yourself, looking for the best housing option for your parent, overwhelmed by Power of Attorney responsibilities, or simply wondering what’s next, I invite you to start with a conversation. There’s no pressure. No obligation. Just a safe space to ask questions, share concerns, and get real support.

You can email me directly at vivien@seniorsmatter.ca or explore the full site at SeniorsMatter.ca. If this message isn’t for you today, maybe it’s for someone you love. Please feel free to share it with a friend, a sibling, or a neighbour. You never know who might be carrying the quiet weight of these decisions and could use a helping hand.

Downsizing, aging in place, or navigating estate matters deserves care, planning, and support. 

Vivien Sharon, Broker,
B.A., Lifestyle 55+ MASTER, Senior Real Estate Advisor™
Master Certified Negotiation Expert®
Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist™
Sotheby’s International Realty Canada®

vivien@seniorsmatter.ca
SeniorsMatter.ca
(647) 333 5530