Should You Move to Care for an Ageing Loved One Sooner Rather Than Later? How to Figure It Out

It’s increasingly common for family members to care for aging loved ones. Many adults want the ability to age in place, allowing them to grow old in a residence of their choosing. By getting support from a family caregiver, that is far easier to do.

If you’re one of about 48 million caregivers supporting an adult, you want to make sure the timing is right. Additionally, finding ways to streamline the process is essential, making it less stressful for you, too. If you aren’t sure how to begin, here’s what you need to know.

Deciding If Your Senior Loved One Needs Support (and New Living Arrangements)

First, you’ll want to assess your aging loved one's situation to determine if they need extra support now or if they have more time. In most cases, there are signs that they may be in trouble, including:

•       Hygiene issues
•         Dirty, cluttered home
•         Missed or late payments
•         Mood changes
•         Forgetfulness
•         Trouble completing familiar tasks
•         Decline in social activities
•         Expired groceries or rotting foods
•         Weight changes
•         Bruising or new, frequent injuries
•         Unexplained vehicle damage

It’s also critical to assess their ability to care for their house. Along with having the physical capacity to manage responsibilities like cleaning, you may need to examine their financial limitations. If they’re struggling to pay professionals for maintenance, cover their property taxes, or handle utility bills, then staying may not be the best choice.

Simplifying Your Move 

If you decide that now is the right time to move to care for a senior loved one, finding ways to simplify your move is best. In many cases, going with a full-service mover is the easiest approach, as you’ll get all of the support you need. However, it can be expensive, so that option might not work for your budget.

If you need to keep your costs down, manage your move strategically. Start getting quotes from transportation services or truck rental companies as soon as possible, ensuring you have enough time to evaluate your choices and secure your preferred service.

Also, begin packing immediately. Start with non-necessities, ensuring like-items are together and the boxes are clearly labeled. Then, move toward items you use more frequently, leaving your everyday essentials for last.

If you’re loading your own truck, keep boxes with essentials close to each other and near the opening of the vehicle. That way, if you can’t do a full unload when you arrive, you can at least get your necessities unloaded fast, making your first night more comfortable.

Why Buying a Home Is Best for You and Your Loved One

When you’re preparing to move, you’ll need to choose the right housing option. In many cases, buying a home is going to be your best bet, and you’ll need to find an expert realtor like Terry Kaminski to walk you through the process and find you a home that fits everyone’s needs. When you purchase a property, you can modify it how you see fit, allowing you to make it accessible for your aging loved one. Plus, you won’t have to worry about having to move after a lease runs out, giving you and your family member a place to establish roots.

Keep in mind that, when taking out a mortgage, the lender will calculate your debt-to-income ratio to assess how much you can afford. You can preview this figure yourself. Add up your monthly debt payments, dividing that by your gross monthly income, and multiplying that figure by 100 to see your percentage.

Generally, a debt-to-income ratio needs to be below 43 percent, though many lenders prefer to make 36 percent the cutoff. Additionally, they’ll want to ensure that your mortgage payment won’t exceed 28 percent of your gross monthly income.

If buying a home isn’t yet in your budget or if you’d rather rent first to get a feel for your new city or town, you can view online listings to find an apartment rental in Seattle. If you’re concerned about touring apartments during the pandemic, many listings offer virtual 3D tours. 

Living far away from an aging family member can be stressful for all parties involved. By relocating and keeping the tips above in mind, you can be there for your loved one.