Sonia, Lanzarote and the Quiet Dignity of Ageing
Sometimes you meet people who immediately leave a warm impression on you. Not because they seek attention or wish to stand in the spotlight, but because of the calmness, sincerity and kindness they naturally carry within themselves. Sonia is one of those people.
Many people on Lanzarote know Sonia from the world of real estate. Over the years, she has built a strong reputation through honesty, professionalism and her personal approach. What fewer people know is that Sonia also studied law in Colombia.
Perhaps it is exactly that background that shaped her strong sense of justice, dignity and humanity. During our conversation, I quickly felt that behind the successful businesswoman is above all a woman who genuinely tries to understand people, especially elderly people searching for peace, security and dignity in life.
A Conversation About Ageing, Humanity and Quality of Life
As many readers know, my daily work revolves around elderly care. Every single day I see how important patience, compassion and human connection become as people grow older.
That is why I wanted to ask Sonia eleven personal questions about ageing, quality of life and the unique atmosphere of Lanzarote.
What started as a simple interview soon became a heartfelt and honest conversation about family, ageing, humanity and the importance of slowing down in a world that seems to move faster every year.
The Warmth of Lanzarote
When I asked Sonia what stands out to her about the lives of elderly people on Lanzarote compared to countries like England and Colombia, she immediately spoke about warmth. Not only the warmth of the climate, but also the warmth between people.
England, as a highly developed country, naturally has stronger care systems and greater financial resources available for elderly care. Colombia may not always have those same facilities, especially for elderly people without family support, but culturally grandparents are often seen as a blessing rather than a burden.
Adult children frequently welcome ageing parents into their homes and care for them with love until the very end of their lives.
Interestingly, Sonia recognises traces of that same closeness here on Lanzarote. During her years living in England, she often missed that feeling of human connection.
Why So Many Elderly People Feel at Home Here
Later in our conversation, Sonia spoke passionately about the quality of life on Lanzarote and why so many older people feel at home here.
Of course, the climate plays an important role. Warm temperatures can ease physical pain and discomfort that often come with ageing. But according to Sonia, the true healing power of Lanzarote lies in something much simpler.
She described the island as a place where people can finally breathe again. The slower rhythm of life, the calm atmosphere and the sense of safety help many elderly people recover emotionally as well as physically.
While she spoke, I realised once again how often we focus only on medication in healthcare, while forgetting the enormous impact environment and atmosphere can have on someone’s wellbeing.
Real Estate With Empathy
When I asked Sonia about her experiences helping elderly clients in real estate, she explained that these situations are never simply about houses or contracts.
Many elderly people are searching for far more than property. They are searching for comfort, stability and peace of mind for the future.
Some move to Lanzarote after retirement. Others arrive because health problems force them to seek a calmer life.
According to Sonia, helping elderly clients requires patience, honesty and empathy. Every situation is different. Health conditions, accessibility and proximity to medical care all become extremely important.
In today’s fast-moving world, those words felt sincere and refreshing.
Naturally, I also wanted to know how Sonia maintains her integrity in the sometimes harsh world of real estate. She admitted honestly that it is not always easy, especially when people compete aggressively or unfairly.
Still, she believes professionalism, transparency and respect always build the strongest foundations in the long run.
And honestly, you can feel that sincerity the moment you speak with her.
The Importance of Listening
One of the most beautiful moments of our conversation came when Sonia spoke about the importance of listening.
Before entering the real estate world, she spent many years working in the fashion industry. There she learned a life lesson she never forgot:
Those words perfectly capture something we sometimes overlook in healthcare and daily life.
Elderly people carry entire lifetimes within them. Stories of love, grief, humour, sacrifice and resilience. When we truly listen to older people, we are not simply hearing words. We are recognising their value. Their lives. Their experiences.
As someone who works daily with elderly people, I could only agree with her completely.
Dignity, Care and the Future of Lanzarote
During the interview, I also asked Sonia whether she had experience supporting elderly people living with dementia.
She answered honestly and humbly that she is not a professional specialist in that area and does not want to pretend otherwise.
Still, she believes love, patience and empathy are always of enormous importance, both for elderly people themselves and for the families around them.
That honesty impressed me deeply. Sometimes the strongest people are the ones willing to admit the limits of their knowledge while still leading with compassion.
We also spoke about what could still be improved on Lanzarote regarding elderly care.
Sonia believes the island would benefit from more specialised care centres, adapted housing and additional well-trained professionals as the population continues to age.
She would love to see modern care residences where professional medical support is combined with warmth, humanity and dignity.
At the same time, she believes Lanzarote already possesses something many modern societies are slowly losing.
And perhaps she is right.
Not everything that improves quality of life can be measured in buildings, systems or budgets. Sometimes wellbeing is found in sunlight, peace, community and simple human kindness.
Friendship, Compassion and Human Connection
One of the most touching moments of our conversation came when Sonia spoke about the friendships she built over the years with elderly residents.
Long ago, she voluntarily accompanied mainly British residents to hospital appointments to help translate for them. Simply because she wanted to help vulnerable people who felt lost in a foreign country.
She also became involved with a wonderful group of British women called Ladies Who Lunch. Together they organised lunches at local restaurants while raising small donations for a dog shelter on the island.
Sonia smiled warmly while speaking about these women. According to her, every conversation with them became a lesson in humour, resilience and ageing gracefully.
And perhaps that is exactly what elderly people continue to offer the world.
At the very end of our interview, I asked Sonia one final question.
What message would she personally like to share with me as Broeder Bartje?
Her answer touched my heart deeply.
She thanked caregivers for the patience, strength and love required to care for elderly people. She spoke about how vulnerable people can become as they age, and how important it is that they continue to feel respected, protected and valued.
Then she quietly said something I will carry with me for a very long time:
“God bless you, Bart. The world needs more people like you.”
But after this conversation, I believe the world also needs more people like Sonia.
People who continue choosing kindness. People who truly listen. People who understand that ageing deserves dignity. People who place humanity above business.
And perhaps it is exactly that quiet humanity that makes Lanzarote such a special place after all.