Tips for moving closer to aging parents

moving closer to aging parents
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Depending on where you live and your own personal circumstances, moving closer to aging parents may or may not be an option. For those who are in a position to do so, however, it can bring many benefits. Moving closer to aging parents makes it easier to see them regularly and vice versa. It also makes it much simpler to help them with day-to-day tasks if they need support. Regardless of whether you’re thinking about moving in with your parents some day so they are not alone or you have recently done so, there are some things that you need to think about now if you want the transition to go smoothly if and when the time comes.

Plan ahead

Depending on your parents’ health and financial situation, they may need support sooner rather than later. Make sure you’re ready to provide it. If you are planning to move in with your parents, think about things like transportation and access to healthcare. How will you get to work? Will you use public transportation or a ride-sharing app? How will you get to the doctor? What happens if one parent needs to go to the hospital? If you’re helping your aging parents with day-to-day tasks, think about things like grocery shopping and house maintenance. Will you go grocery shopping for your parents? If one parent is having trouble managing house repairs, will you take care of them? Or will you hire an agency to support them? If so, a good place to start would be to google toronto home care for seniors, for example, substituting your location so relevant to you.

Don’t wait until the last minute

As you’re planning ahead, keep in mind that you don’t have to do everything at once. If your parents aren’t in need of assistance yet, that doesn’t mean you can put all of this on a back burner. If you’re moving in with your parents, that means you’re going to have access to their home. If you’re helping your parents with day-to-day tasks, that means you’ll see how they manage their home. Take advantage of this time to do things like get your parents’ home WiFi hooked up and running smoothly, download and learn how to use their apps, and take note of anything that’s broken, worn out, or needs replacing.

Identify any logistical problems ASAP

If you’re moving in with your aging parents, this is your best chance to smooth out any logistical problems that you might have had before. If you have a long daily commute, for example, but your parents live in a more suitable neighbourhood for you, this is the perfect time to consider moving closer to them. If you’re helping your parents with day-to-day tasks, this is the perfect time to identify and solve logistical problems. If the floor in one room is particularly slippery, get some anti-skid mats. If the WiFi is patchy in one room, get a WiFi extender.

Explore how technology can support you

Private duty home care software can be a valuable tool in supporting the caregiving process when moving closer to aging parents is not an option or even when it is. This software provides a range of features and functionalities to assist in managing and coordinating care tasks for elderly loved ones. By leveraging the benefits of this software, you can ensure a smooth transition and provide the necessary support to your aging parents, regardless of your physical proximity.

Come to an agreement about caregiving responsibilities

Is one parent more independent than the other? Does one parent live in a more suitable environment for an aging person? Does one parent simply have more time to spare than the other? It’s important to discuss these factors upfront so that everyone knows what their responsibilities are. If one parent does more than their fair share, it’s a recipe for resentment and feelings of being trapped. If one parent is doing less than they could be, it can lead to feelings of guilt and inadequacy. When you come to an agreement about caregiving responsibilities, everybody wins.

Decide who will stay where and who will own what

If you’re moving in with your parents, it’s important to come to an agreement about who owns what. If you’re already on the deed to your current home, for example, you may not want to risk losing it by signing it over to your parents. If you’re helping your parents with day-to-day tasks, one good way to ease the burden is to chip in financially. If you’re contributing money, take this opportunity to decide who owns what. If you’re paying off a credit card with your parents, sign it over to them. If you’re paying off a mortgage with your parents, add your name to the mortgage.

Get a home assessment and make any necessary repairs

If you’re moving in with your parents, are you ready for what you might find? If you’ve lived away from home for a long time and know your parents well, you may be able to overlook some issues. If you’ve only recently gotten to know your parents better, though, you probably don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. Before moving in, get an idea of what needs fixing and what’s not worth the cost. If you’re helping your parents with day-to-day tasks, do this as soon as possible. It’s a great way to start familiarising yourself with the house and what needs doing.

Take care of anything you’ll want or need before moving in

If you’re moving in with your parents, you don’t want to be in the middle of unpacking when your mother has to go to the hospital or your father slips on the floor and breaks his leg. If you’re moving in and your parents are healthy, don’t worry about this. If you’re helping your parents with day-to-day tasks, this is where long-term planning really comes in handy. If your mother has trouble managing her diabetes, for example, you could get her a blood glucose monitor and lancing device now. If your father has trouble managing his hearing aid, you could get him a sound amplifier now. Moving companies such as san diego movers can help manage the logistics of the move, so that you can focus on giving your parents the support they need.

Try to find the best place to live

If you can choose where you’re going to live and your parents are healthy, this might be the best chance you have to move somewhere that’s right for you. If you’re moving in with your parents, you can still get a general idea of what’s available in the area and use this knowledge when you’re ready to move out on your own. If you’re helping your parents with day-to-day tasks, this is a great opportunity to get some insight into the housing market in your parents’ neighbourhood. If there’s a nice place nearby that’s affordable and meets your needs, this could be the perfect time to start looking for a new roommate.

Make sure you take a holiday before

Moving to be close to aging parents can be a stressful affair, and is a huge responsibility to take on. Be sure you factor in some downtime before executing the move if you can, so you can enter into the task ahead refreshed and energised, instead of worn down and exhausted. Click here for some ideas on how to plan a dream vacation to give you the break you need before this big life shift.

Conclusion

When you’re moving in with your parents, it’s important to understand that this is a temporary situation. You’re not giving up on your life or responsibility to take care of yourself. You’re taking a break and helping out the people who took care of you when you were younger. Your parents may be aging, but they’re still the same people who raised you. You might just have to learn how to help them in a different way.

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