Thank you to guest blogger, Suzie Wilson, for sharing her strategies for moving your parents into senior housing.
The decision to move a parent into senior housing is rarely an easy one, especially when your loved one would prefer to live independently at home as he or she grows older. However, senior housing may be the safest option if your parent is experiencing worsening health problems that prevent him or her from completing basic tasks such as cooking, bathing, and moving around the current home without help.
These three tips from RE/MAX Capitol Properties will help to ease the stress of moving a parent into senior housing, whether it’s a retirement community, assisted living facility, or nursing home.
1. Know the Signs
Unless your parent tells you he or she is ready for senior housing, it may be difficult to determine whether it’s time to move your loved one into assisted living, a skilled nursing facility, or a retirement community. But according to Dr. Jami Barnett of ConsumerAffairs, there are 17 signs you should be on the lookout for. Several of them include:
- Declining health, recent falls, or worsening issues with mobility.
- Difficulty cooking, cleaning, bathing, and maintaining the home.
- Major changes in mood, personality, or behavior.
- Memory changes, wandering, and disorientation.
2. Find Suitable Senior Housing
Once you’ve determined your parent may be ready for senior housing, it’s important to compare housing types to find the best option for your loved one. Several housing options are available to older adults, including senior apartments, retirement communities, assisting living, and nursing home care. The right housing option for your parent, however, will depend on his or her specific wants and needs.
Typically, your loved one’s ability to complete his or her activities of daily living (ADLs) will play a role in the type of housing he or she requires. If your parent can complete all or most of his or her ADLs with ease, for instance, a senior apartment or retirement community may be the best option. But if your loved one needs help bathing, getting in and out of bed, and using the toilet, an assisted living or nursing home facility may be best. Nursing homes provide around-the-clock care, while assisted living facilities do not.
When choosing suitable housing for your loved one, you’ll also need to consider the cost of moving your loved one into an assisted living or nursing facility, retirement home, or senior apartment. As a few options, you may be able to use your loved one’s long-term care insurance policy, VA benefits, Medicaid coverage (if applicable), or life insurance policy to cover the cost of long-term care. Another option is to sell your loved one’s home and use the proceeds to fund all or part of his or her senior housing expenses.
3. Sell Your Loved One’s Home
If your parent owns his or her home and you plan on selling it to cover the cost of senior housing, the help of an experienced real estate agent will be invaluable. A real estate agent can help you to determine the value of your loved one’s home and negotiate with potential buyers to sell the house quickly and for the most money. Your agent will also offer home staging tips and suggestions, and they may be able to refer you to a Senior Move Manager to help with organizing and downsizing your loved one’s belongings.
Cope with Challenging Emotions
Moving a parent into senior housing is an emotionally challenging process for many adult children, and it’s normal to experience feelings such as guilt, fear, and worry as part of this transition. However, there are some things you can do to ease the transition — and Working Daughter shares 12 of them.
It’ll take some time for your family to adjust after your parent makes the transition into senior housing, but just know that the difficult emotions you’re experiencing are only temporary. Before long, your parent will be settled into his or her new home — and you’ll know you made the right choice by moving your loved one into senior housing.
Are you looking for an experienced real estate agent to sell your home and assist you in buying a new one? Contact RE/MAX Capitol Properties at 307-635-0303 or submit an online inquiry.
