By Sharon Wagner, Contributor - https://seniorfriendly.info/
Many of us have at least one special senior in our lives, whether it’s a parent, friend, grandparent, aunt or uncle, or an older sibling. And while it’s easy to check in on our senior loved ones when we’re living in the same city or within an hour’s drive, it’s a lot more complicated when there are hundreds of miles between us.
Since close to half of all seniors require help with daily activities such as cooking, cleaning, bathing, or walking, many of us need to take on the role of a caregiver at some point — which sometimes means moving closer to our loved one. This is especially true if our loved one suffers from epilepsy or a seizure disorder, which can further complicate their lives. Here are some tips to simplify the process of relocating for a senior friend or relative.
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Signs It’s Time to Move Closer to Your Senior Loved One
Your senior loved one has been doing well on his or her own thus far, but that doesn’t mean additional help won’t be needed at some point in the future. Here are some signs to look out for:
● Changes in physical health that prevent your loved one from getting around his or her home, taking medications, or driving to doctor’s appointments.
● Mental health concerns such as depressed mood, lack of personal hygiene, social withdrawal, or delusions.
● Memory changes, like frequently getting lost in familiar places, repeating questions, or regularly misplacing items.
● The increase of seizures due to epilepsy or other disorders.
In addition to assessing your loved one’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being, it’s important to look at his or her living environment. Is it often messy, dirty, or in disarray? Are there items around the house that could potentially harm them if they were to experience a seizure by themselves? This could be a sign that your senior is having trouble completing housework, and a caregiver may be needed
Moving Closer to Your Loved One? Start Planning Your Move
In the event that your loved one needs your support, you may make the decision to move closer to him or her. Maybe you’ll move in with your loved one so you can keep a closer eye on him or her, or perhaps you’ll purchase a home near your senior so you can regularly check in.
Start by deciding what to do with your current home, such as selling it to a new owner or renting it out to a tenant. Then, decide whether to buy a home near your senior loved one, move in with him or her, or look for an apartment to rent.
If you’ll be purchasing a house near your loved one, you’ll first want to complete the mortgage pre-approval process and figure out how much you can afford to spend on a new home. To find an apartment to rent, however, you could use websites like Hotpads, Rent.com, or ForRent.com.
Next, look for quality movers to transport your belongings to your new home. You’ll be busy enough with packing your belongings and listing your current home, but professional movers can help to take some of the stress out of relocating.
Find Suitable Housing for Your Senior Loved One
Unless you’re moving in with your loved one, you may need to talk to your senior about finding a home that better suits his or her changing needs. Here are a few options to consider:
● Adapting your senior’s home for aging in place.
● Buying a new senior-friendly home so your loved one can continue to live independently.
● Comparing different types of senior housing, such as independent living communities, assisted living, nursing homes, and memory care facilities.
● Hiring in-home help to assist your loved one with tasks such as cooking, cleaning, taking medications, and grooming.
In Conclusion
Relocating can be a stressful process, but sometimes it’s necessary in order to give your senior loved one the hands-on care he or she needs. It’s possible to care for a loved one from afar, but having you close by will mean so much more.