Knowing When the Time Is Right to Be
Nearer to Your Senior Loved One
Image via Pexels. andrea-piacquadio
Inevitably, there comes a time in life when adult children of seniors need to be closer to their
senior parents, or even other close relatives at that. This need may become even more
apparent when they aren't able to take care of their daily needs on their own. But how do you
know when the time is right to make the move? And how do you go about making the move as
easy and stress-free as possible for both of you? Read these helpful tips from realtor Michael
Travis on precisely how to go about this.
Seeing the signs
As seniors age and time progresses, the telltale signs that your loved ones require more
assistance can slowly become more and more apparent. Some of these signs can include:
Changes in their mental health
APlaceForMom.com points out that obvious changes in their mental and emotional behavior may signal that your loved one is really struggling in some area. This is where your love and support are often required, which can be difficult to do if you're thousands of miles away, and you can't be physically present to show your support when they need it most.
Forgetting to take medication
Certainly, for seniors who often forget to take chronic medication, these situations can quickly turn into a life-threatening condition if not treated promptly. DailyCaring notes that proper medication management is so critical that an issue like this might definitely necessitate the need to move nearer to your senior loved one sooner rather than later.
A disorganized home that once used to be orderly
A disorganized living space that used to be tidy and orderly might also be another sign that your
loved one requires help. Additionally, it may point to the need to maybe consider moving your
loved one to a senior care facility so that they no longer have the responsibility of tending to the
home.
Talking it through
Once you've decided to move closer to your loved one because you've decided that it is the best option for the both of you, it's time to get the process started. First things first though are communicating your intentions to your relative beforehand. You could start with an open and honest conversation with them about how you've noticed changes that don't seem to be working for them anymore (like the examples mentioned above). Then you could suggest how, if you moved closer, you could assist them with those things they've been struggling to keep on top of lately.
If they agree and are open to exploring the option of you moving closer to them more, it's time to start learning about how you can assist them with everyday living. This may include finding out more information about senior care facilities in the area to suit their needs better or having an in-house caregiver to tend to their needs when you are not around to do so.
Moving on over
Of course, one of the first things you'll have to think over is where you will stay. Renting is an
option if you are not sure about the suburb, for example, and you want to explore your options
more before settling on one specific home. However, if you've already seen the area and know
what it is you want, then you could start preparing by getting the homeowner's application
process started.
Another task to handle early on is researching the housing market of your destination locale. Going online, you can easily find what houses are currently going for and how “hot” the market is (for instance, houses in Meredith are selling for around $550K). This will help you know what you can afford. One of the things that could save a lot of time is getting preapproved for a mortgage. Getting preapproved will let you know how much you can spend on a home, and it’ll be easier to purchase a home because you will have done the preliminary work already.
If you need to move your business to your new location, the first step is to notify your customers of the change of address and update your contact information. Next, you will need to update your business license and permits. If you have an LLC, an online formation service that’s already familiar with New Hampshire LLC regulations can be a huge help in this regard. Once that is taken care of, you can start packing up your office or store. Make sure to label all boxes clearly so that you can easily find what you need when you arrive at your new location. Finally, hire a professional moving company to transport your belongings safely and efficiently.
Showing up to show your support
In summary, as is moving into senior living, moving closer to a senior loved one is sure to be a
big adjustment, particularly on their part. In some cases, they might be hesitant at first for fear of
losing their independence. But once they see that all you want to do is show up to show your
support, they'll no doubt appreciate all the effort you've gone to help make their lives that bit
easier.
Michael Travis is here to help make your real estate dreams come true. Call 603.303-2599.