When you have an elderly loved one, you know what it’s like to worry about their health. You may recognize that they could need additional support from day to day and want to be there to help. Deciding when it’s time to pick up your belongings and move closer to a senior loved one can be tough. Fortunately, there are a few signs you can look for that signal that now may be the right time to move close to them and reassess their living options. Today, SLG Senior Care provides some tips and resources to help you give your beloved senior the care they deserve.
Deciding to Move Close to Your Senior Loved One
Some signs that show your loved one could need more support and to have you nearby include a need for help with daily chores, the loss of a driver’s license, and financial trouble due to going onto Social Security retirement. A recent diagnosis of a progressive illness or a terminal diagnosis may also signal that it’s time to move closer to your loved one.
Getting Ready to Move
If your loved one is starting to show signs of aging, like not being able to drive to appointments or needing extra help with daily tasks, then you need to put your plan into action. Start by looking at your budget and determining if you need to sell your home or if you can rent a home in the new location. You may be able to rent out your current home or sell and buy a new property in the new location.
To make the moving process as simple as possible, pack your boxes by room and label them accordingly. If you’re moving with kids, help them to organize their room into colorful bins that they can easily pack and transition into their new bedrooms. If you need help with the packing or moving transition, a full-service moving team can pack, move, and unpack your home for you, which is helpful if you’re on a time crunch.
Also, the last thing you want to do in the middle of a move is have to tear open sealed boxes to find this or that important document that you’ve misfiled or accidentally packed away, so it’s a good idea to start getting in the habit of digitizing your documents. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use PDF converter to facilitate better organization, you can try this page for free!
Settling in with Students in Tow
If you are moving with any students – yourself included – check out the school districts in your new area to ensure you move into a good district. If you are considering going back to school, take a look at online degree programs that you can start before the move and continue in your new location. It’s important that you do not give up on your own goals during this process or caretaking will lead to resentment. So find ways to do both whenever possible.
Moving Your Business Closer to a Senior Loved One
One of the things you have to think about when you’re preparing to move is that your business may have to come with you. To be able to move with minimal disruption to your business, you need to start planning as soon as you can. While you’re searching for an apartment or new home, start packing up your business’s items, including legal documents and supplies. Label all your boxes well and convert to a remote workflow to maintain your working hours even while moving. Once you’re ready to make the physical move, hire movers with a good reputation to make sure your items make it from A to B safely.
Help Your Senior Loved One With Their Living Situation
At this point, your loved one may no longer be able to live alone. Sit down and talk to them about their needs and if a 55+, assisted living, memory care, or nursing home community would be a good choice for them. This can be a difficult conversation, so enter it with love and compassion.
Discuss the Best Choices for Everyone Involved
Making the decision to uproot your life and move closer to a senior loved one can be hard. Be sure to discuss your choice with everyone involved to make sure it is the right choice. Once you’ve decided to move, put a plan in place to ensure that your life isn’t put on hold while you support your aging loved one. The most important thing is to approach the situation with love and compassion so that you can support your loved one as they age.
SLG Senior Care is here to provide seniors with the assisted living care they deserve. Call (415) 656-6869.
