a guest post by family caregiver Harry Cline
Finding a home that combines needs with desires can be a challenge, and it’s not any easier when you’re house hunting with a senior loved one in mind. You want to meet comfort and lifestyle requirements for both now and the future, yet stay within your financial constraints. Read on for pertinent advice so you can find the perfect property.
Start with the Endgame
While it might feel like you’re putting the cart before the horse, consider planning the physical part of the move right from the start. Moving is backbreaking work, as well as being emotionally exhausting. It’s in most seniors’ best interest to hire assistance, but finding reliable, professional movers can be an especially challenging part of the moving process.
When your life is in a period of transition, you tend to be vulnerable. As US News points out, there are many scammers ready to prey on that vulnerability, and their tactics are surprisingly creative. They might ask for a deposit upfront and then leave you hanging, or hold your belongings hostage in an attempt to get more money from you.
For the best results, it’s crucial to begin researching area movers well in advance of making your actual move. Aim for at least three quotes, ask for references, and look into reputation before selecting a service. Someone should come to your home to see what’s involved and give you a written contract, and if they aren’t willing to do so, find someone who will.
Finding an Appropriate Abode
Finding a home is about more than putting a roof overhead. As a caregiver, you want the property to be safe, supportive, and comfortable. Along with growing older often comes a number of changes to the mind and body, and selecting a home that meets your senior’s changing needs can be challenging. Start by assessing what features will be particularly important in your loved one’s circumstances.
As you search, bear in mind that sometimes a house isn’t exactly what you want but could easily be modified. Some changes are especially simple and inexpensive, such as adding grab bars in bathrooms, installing offset hinges to widen doors, and exchanging doorknobs and faucets for easier-to-manage, lever-style handles. Installing a ramp can turn an otherwise difficult home entryway into a comfortable, supportive one. There is an abundance of potential adaptations, and Retirement Living offers an aging-in-place remodel checklist that you can use to help develop personal criteria and for evaluating potential properties.
Boxing Up Belongings
If your senior is transitioning out of a family home, or if this is the first move with reduced independence, the process of packing can be particularly intense. Paring down belongings is often lengthy and difficult, as there are memories and attachments that develop over the course of time. If your loved one has accumulated a substantial amount of items, you might need to assist your senior with the decluttering process.
Packing is also a time-consuming undertaking. The Denver Post encourages allowing more time than you think it will take to pack everything up and to be strategic in your method. For instance, think of a special mark for the boxes that will be needed first, like a star, or color code them. Every box should be labeled by room designation and with a general itemization of contents as well. To avoid tripping hazards for your senior, set up a packing station that’s out of the way.
The very word “home” evokes feelings of comfort, warmth, and safety. As a caregiver, you want all that and more for your senior loved one. When it comes time to do some house hunting, plan thoughtfully, allow ample time, and do your research. The transition will be a good one for you both when you follow these simple strategies.
Harry Cline is creator of NewCaregiver.org and author of the upcoming book, The A-Z Home Care Handbook: Health Management How-Tos for Senior Caregivers. As a retired nursing home administrator, father of three, and caregiver to his ninety-year-old uncle, Harry knows how challenging and rewarding caregiving can be. He also understands that caregiving is often overwhelming for those just starting out.
