3 Questions To Ask Before Moving Closer to Your Senior Loved One

1. Do They Struggle With Disabilities?

According to the CDC, disabilities are conditions of the mind or body that make it difficult for a person to perform certain activities or participate in the world around him or her. If your loved one has a disability, it can affect his or her movement, vision, mental health, communicating, thinking, and remembering.

Generally, disabilities need to include impairment, participation restriction, and activity limitation. If your senior finds it difficult to engage in social, recreational, or health care activities, he or she may have a disability.

Common health conditions seniors face include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Diabetes

Chronic conditions can cause pain and disability. Before you determine the care your loved one needs, consider the difficulties he or she has at home. Does your senior remember to take medication on time? Does he or she need you or a caregiver to keep the house clean or to prepare meals? Caregivers can assist a person in day-to-day activities and personal care.

Once you assess your loved one’s abilities, you can decide to move closer. If you do determine you need to move closer, there are some hacks to preparing for your move. When moving, you need to prepare as early as possible. Make a plan, set a budget, and purge as many of your unnecessary items as possible. To make a move easier, you may also consider hiring a moving service.

2. Can They Care for Their Home?

Disabilities with aging can have an impact on a person’s mobility which can make it challenging to care for household chores or other home maintenance activities. Your senior may have difficulties with home maintenance, including taking care of a yard or landscaping. If your loved one needs help with landscaping, you may want to hire a patio landscaping service to tackle this job for them…

To find a landscaper to fit the job, you need to evaluate the landscaping needs before you begin searching. When looking for a qualified contractor, be sure to read the online reviews and check ratings and credentials. When you meet with the contractor, you can discuss a quote. If you worry about the cost of landscaping, research the different specials some companies may be offering for landscaping projects.

3. Does Their Home Suit Their Needs?

Your loved one’s home may no longer meet their needs appropriately. As a person ages, he or she may face more hazards in the home. One of the more significant hazards in a person’s home is the stairs. You may want to replace your loved one’s stairs with a ramp or a stairlift to help him or her get around.

If you and your senior determine the current home does not fit your loved one’s needs, you need to decide what type of home works best. Some seniors may require a nursing home or assisted living facility, whereas others may be more interested in a retirement community. In a retirement community, your loved one does not have to worry about home maintenance and will have more accessibility options.

As your loved one ages, his or her living situation may change. You may need to find a way to move closer to help him or her with daily activities.