Life means constant change but as time goes, our aging parents find themselves more and more reluctant to adapt to those changes. The burden of aging doesn’t fall lightly on either of us. It takes a lot of understanding and compassion, from parents and children, to accept that it’s the right time for a senior to move home. We can give you clues about when’s the right time to do so, and you may think your beloved senior is ready but allowing them to think about it and decide is what it’s all about.
Being realistic
Every change starts with facing down the facts. Going through our checklist will make you ask yourself the right questions:
- Does your home feel too big for you?
- Is maintenance physically and financially challenging?
- Are there any safety issues?
- Do you have financial concerns?
These are the most prevalent reasons why the elderly decide to relocate. Health issues solely, on the other hand, would be the reason to consider moving to a retirement community. Depending on the health condition, an option can be either assisted living or home health care, as the least intrusive alternative. If an elderly person is fairly healthy, enjoying retirement is possible and well within reach.
Old age doesn’t have to be depressive; we decide
So when exactly is the right time for a senior to move home?
When the shell is too big
Ever since we move out of our parents’ house, we work on creating and expanding our home to fit our own growing family’s needs. Most of us come to the point in life when our kids move out and leave too much space behind. Do you have rooms you don’t frequently use? If you do, note that those rooms have overgrown their functionality. Additionally, they drain your limited finances because you have to heat and cool these rooms, clean them and maintain them. How do you know it may be time to declutter? When you haven’t used something in years and when you forget that you have it, it is time to let go of it.
There is nothing wrong or bad about downsizing. Just like building up, it is a part of the cycle of life. Even though moving out is not moving away it still feels the same. Are you too far from your family? Moving closer to your children and grandchildren may be a win-win situation.
Memorabilia or excess stuff, where do you cross the line?
When too much effort is not enough
The right time for a senior to move home is when upkeep becomes overpowering. House maintenance requires, time, dedication, and not a small amount of money and physical effort. There aren’t many hands to help as there were before and usual projects are becoming more and more difficult to complete. There is a strong financial aspect of keeping a big house in proper order. Over time, it would get the best of anyone struggling to keep things as they were. People either give up and let their house deteriorate or set up a new cozy home. When it comes to the move itself, there are many affordable relocation services seniors can use including the service of a senior move manager. Our elderly should not choose between having a safe, comfortable home and enjoying life.
When the house doesn’t feel like a safety net
…But rather an obstacle course. Aging can make navigating through our big, old house a challenge. There is a large number of safety concerns that emerge over time, and each part of the house is specific. Once again, financial feasibility comes into focus. Is it more convenient to conduct adjustments or move to a smaller, better-equipped home? Making yourself comfortable at home will make you adjust easily after relocation and give you the confidence to explore your new surroundings
- Entryway. Stairs are a safety issue for many reasons. The elevated entrance may be inaccessible for a person in a wheelchair. For someone using a walker, numerous steps may be too narrow, slippery and quite tiresome. You might need to consider installing a ramp, chair lift or home elevator.
- Bathroom. It may be the most dangerous place in the house for an elderly person. Your bathroom should be easily accessible. A shower with roll-on doors should replace a tub. No-slip adhesive strips are a life-saver. Handlebars should be placed in the shower and next to the toilet.
- Kitchen. Stretching or bending to get something may not be an option anymore. Slipping and falling from a chair or ladder may be life-threatening. Easily accessible drawers and cabinets within arms reach are the best option.
- Bedroom. Tripping over thresholds and slipping on rugs and other flooring causes an astounding number of accidents. Older adults, in particular, are in danger of serious injuries. The height of the bed should be such to allow easy getting in and out of it. Light switches should be accessible from the bed.
Extra living space, economically speaking, is space you pay taxes on but don’t benefit from
When it boosts your finances
Can you make a profit by selling your home and moving elsewhere? Take out your notebook and calculator and crunch the numbers. Put your current income and expenses on one side. Then, calculate the moving budget, and deduct it from the gain after selling your big house and purchasing a smaller one. What has remained should be a nice little stash for rainy days that makes you feel more secure and independent.
The right time for a senior to move home is when they feel comfortable about it
Home is life, home is memories. It may seem to seniors that moving out is giving up on them. What we all easily forget is that home is much more than a place of residence. While you may change houses, you are taking home with you. Seniors may be unsure when is the right time to move but they should know that It is never too late to make the first step.