Relocating to a new geographic area. Can the pleasures outweigh the pitfalls?

This is a rather heartbreaking decision as your hubby has friends where he is now. However, it is one in which a move, for EITHER of you will not get easier. I myself would be doing the move, but I would feel the same uncertainty and trepidation concerning you at this time.

I sure wish you good luck. A few decades ago we built a small house in the country in a wild stretch of land, hedgerow and all, glass fronted. And thought to move there in retirement. We lived in and loved it part time for a decade and one half then realized that its care wouldn't be in our hands, that we were beginning to take spills as we worked the land, and that we would be too cut off from help, from transit when we could not longer drive. We let it go, with love, with heartbreak, but packed our memories with us.

For your husband this would be a hard move, but it may go well; it is just so difficult to guess. I sure wish you luck. I know I haven't helped you make this hard choice but I think you already know what answer you will eventually HAVE to make. My very best to you.

Sharon71, welcome to the forum. Moving at any age can be difficult.

Finding a house or 55+ community in a neighborhood you like. Then the move itself with first downsizing "stuff", and oh how we can accumulate things. Not easy tossing out, donating, and carrying it with you to a new place. I remember when my Dad moved to senior living, I asked him to narrow down his collection of books. The standing joke was he went from 200 books down to 199. I let them take all his books with him, it was his cocoon.

Your hubby would be lost in the new kitchen, because items are now in different locations. Where is that silverware drawer? Hmmm, what cabinet now has the coffee cups? So much harder when one has memory issues.

Oh, just think of looking for all new doctors, specialists, and dentist. And finding where they are located. Are there any nearby Urgent Care offices? Medical care is so very important.

Let's not forget, getting a new hairdresser and barber. Hope there is a branch of your bank in the new location, if not, the hunt for a new bank. And just learning all the new streets, that will be on your shoulders. Finding a good mechanic.

And one thing rarely anyone thinks about, the local newspaper and local TV news. With the local TV news, all the anchors will be new to both you and hubby. It may make hubby think he is on vacation, and he might be asking when is it time to go home.

You mention that your hubby has good friends. He would miss them so much, and not be there if you need help with hubby for minor things.

You are need to be aware of the weather in a new location. How does the weather compare to where you now live?

So much to think about !!

You already are providing him with "the best, most enjoyable life for him" just by being the loving wife you are and keeping him safe in an environment that he is already familiar with.
Uprooting a loved one with dementia can be quite detrimental for that person as their whole routine is disrupted and they lose the familiarity that was once around them.
I'm sure you already know that when ones brain is broken(as with dementia)that keeping a routine is of utmost importance and keeps peace and stability in their lives.
So while relocating sounds good in theory, realistically at this point in his journey, it's probably not the wisest.

Years ago the people that we bought our house from were moving from NC to IA to be closer to their daughter who lived there. The man had dementia and shortly after the move he went downhill rather quickly and she ended up having to place him in a facility. She later agreed that the move was just too much for him.
So I would just say, you're doing a great job and you're blessed that right now your husband is kind and still loving. Please enjoy that while it lasts and don't take one day for granted with the man you love, as there will come a day when you will wish he were here for even just one more day. This I know all too well.
God bless you.

Moving will be harder than you can even imagine in a situation like this! I'll send you a private message about my experience in doing it. You can find it under your profile.

I say this as an inveterate daydreamer and fantasizer. The desire to alleviate one's problems by moving to a new location is so universal that a clichéd — but true — response arose from it: wherever you go, there you are. It seems there are many reasons to stay and many downsides to leaving. Of course only you know all the ins and outs of your situation, and I hope this doesn't sound presumptuous. But I would be brutally honest with myself about how much of the motivation to move is based in a desire to escape a situation that is, sadly, inescapable. Having said that, there is nothing inherently wrong with what I call "palliative daydreaming": spending some time imagining that sunset over the water, the pleasing surroundings you'd enjoy. Think of it as a visualization technique to bring some peace and comfort to your day. I wish you the best, whatever you decide to do!

Honestly, I'd try to find the joy where you are but on a smaller scale, because the reality is that it is difficult to make new friends anywhere, but when you have someone who is diminished, it'll be exponentially more difficult. People who are not already invested in you from years of friendship will be unlikely to take on a new, "difficult" friendship. Add to that the extreme difficulties your husband will have in a new location with all unfamiliar faces, and I think you're just piling on negative after negative from which there'll be no going back.

I'd advise trying to adapt to his limitations where you are, because what little is familiar to him will be the best for him. Drive to a flat park where you can take strolls together, and visit with friends while he still can, because they're your support system, too.

My husband and I live in a 750 home, 55 plus lifestyle community. The home is smaller but handicap accessible. We have community spouses with dementia. We came from many locations within the past 5 years and made many new friends. While our neighbors with dementia can still be included in many social events, our quality of life is easier. Most of us can walk up to a mile or less to our ammenities. My bocce club includes 3 people with dementia who only need cues of the color ball and when it is their turn. We even help each other with transportation and have our own dementia support group among 30 clubs.
If your husband is ambulatory and rather social, you might want to investigate.

The church we went to for years dissolved so we had to change to a new one. It frustrates me that no one there knows the "real" Bill and aren't interested in getting to know the Bill with all the health problems which I totally understand. It was hard for me to make new friends because when being introduced, my focus still had to be on Bill or otherwise he may move out of my sight. New couple friends are next to impossible now. Had we been able to stay in the old church, there were men who knew him before his decline and probably would be more supportive now. I agree your home as it is now probably is not the best option, but if it were me, I would consider searching for a more appropriate home in the same area so you don't lose contact with all your friends. Perhaps occasional short vacations could help going somewhere more appropriate before he becomes to easily confused.

One of the issues that comes with later ageing is that the world shrinks to the inside of a building. For many elders, it doesn’t really matter where it is, and convenience for visitors is more relevant. Visits from old friends are going to drop off as well, because they get older and fewer themselves.

In your situation, the range of answers and experience is just more evidence that it’s hard to predict how things will go. Will the disturbance make current problems worse? Or will the easier conditions give a longer period where things will be more enjoyable? You are a decade younger than your husband, so where would be best for you if you outlive him?

If you decide to move, you could try to treat it in the same way as setting up a new room in a facility – bring as much familiar stuff as will fit in the more limited space. I’d consider taking photos of some things and taping the photos to the outside of cupboards and drawers – even an actual teaspoon! You could take the door off the cupboard with mugs in it, so that it’s all visible. A strip of high-viz tape from the bed to the toilet might help at night. You will know what might help your husband find his way around a new place. You can easily remove all this once it gets to be familiar.

If you have the finances, it could be good to find local affordable accommodation, and invite a pair of friends down for a visit. A visit every couple of months might be enough to stop the feeling that you have left everything behind.

We have to get our TV and radio reception through the internet (rotten reception in our farm valley), and we can get ‘local’ programs from just about anywhere in the world. We regularly listen to the 'farm' radio when we are 1800kms away in Central Australia. That might be worth investigating, too. Best wishes with whatever you decide, Margaret

Sometimes dreaming of what a change might offer are very different from what actually happens. We moved our mom to our home, different geographic location, easier to care for her. The initial move was good for her because she was suddenly getting a lot of care. Last year she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and I realized I couldn’t continue to give up my life for her. We moved her to a memory care and she’s adjusting fairly well. She does seem lost at times. I wish she could have friends around who she knows. Reality is they are gone.

I think you need to make a pros and cons list. a big move will be very stressful for you and he will feel that. Maybe you could downsize locally so you still have your friends around. You can also drive to flatter areas for outing walks. Now is the time to set up helping systems for yourself to manage his care so you don’t burn out. Stress creates a quicker decline in all of us but especially with dementia.
you might be able to find a young gardener to help with upkeep.
will selling your home help you move him to memory care near your new place at the beach? Or with in home care? Or a retirement home for both of you? There are Many options.
make your list and start decluttering as though your moving to a small home. That is a huge job. There is a wonderful online class to help with decluttering (those hidden cabinets that are full, masses of photos, China, games, crafts, linens, etc). (Look up Karen Kingston) It will be a huge help to you and refresh your energy and clear your thoughts on moving forward. It’ll probably be fun for your husband to be reminded of older family stories. Good luck. My heart is with you