By Sharon Wagner, www.seniorfriendly.info

Part of aging into an adult can mean worrying about your senior relatives. This is unsurprising; among other things, the CDC has recently found that falls account for the largest portion of injuries and deaths among seniors. Moving closer to an aging loved one may give you peace of mind while providing them with the support they require.

The Signs

There are common signs to be aware of when deciding if you should move closer to your loved one. Their health and ability to live independently will determine when help is needed. Consider whether other relatives are nearby; they may better equipped to assist when needed. If not, you may be the person who can step in and check on them frequently.

If your relative seems to be falling behind financially, moving closer may make you more available to manage any recurring payments they’re finding difficult to keep up with, while helping regulate their spending. Watch out for unopened mail, especially items that seem to be fraudulent or from a debt collector. When inserting yourself into your loved one’s routine, be sure to do so in a way that’s supportive while not being overbearing.

There can be several benefits to moving closer to family. While they may be struggling in certain aspects of their lives, your loved ones will be able to provide companionship, even childcare, more frequently and without as much planning in advance. Outings like family vacations can be put together easily, and most importantly you will be available to them at a moment’s notice, rather than the next time you’re able to make the trip.

The Preparation

If you intend to buy a home closer to your relatives, be sure to get a mortgage preapproved before you begin house hunting. A preapproval will tell you how much you can borrow for a home purchase, and it can be vital in knowing what offers you can make. Having a figure in mind can narrow your choices and make the house selection process easier.

If you have an established business that you wish to bring with you, you should enact organizational strategies as early into the process as you can. Every physical asset of your business should be packed securely and organized to guarantee you can get to everything the moment it’s needed again. Choose carefully who will be performing the physical move; check reviews for moving companies in your new area to find a reputable organization.

The Move

Before packing a single box, you should be throwing away, recycling, selling, or donating everything you can stand to part with. Purging your home before moving, rather than while unpacking, prevents you from carrying future garbage across the country. Keep an inventory of each box’s contents. Organizing every aspect of the move may take more time, but it will be more than offset with stress reduction.

Unfortunately, sometimes your presence isn’t enough to keep your older adult relative as secure as needed. If your loved one’s needs aren’t within the scope of what you can provide, you may consider having a discussion with them and helping them with a move to a senior living community. Depending on the community, they may have access to amenities like professional assistance, meals, and around-the-clock healthcare. Senior living communities can include many levels of care such as independent and assisted living, memory care, transitional or rehabilitative care and long-term care such as nursing homes. These places allow your relatives to enter their twilight years in a community of people in a similar stage of life, with the help they need and the dignity they deserve.

Concern for your senior loved ones is incredibly common. Consider your options while making sure they receive the care they need. And if your loved one takes an interest in living in a caring, compassionate senior health and living community, get in touch with Lake Ridge by calling 763-404-4632.