A parent should move BEFORE it becomes necessary and an emergency for them TO be moved, by us, the children, after they fall and break a hip or get hospitalized for pneumonia, etc and have the rehab or hospital refuse to release them back to independent living. The best thing would be to get your parent into an Independent Living senior complex that has a continuum of care.......so s/he can segue from IL into Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing should the need arise. It's not really about what they 'want' after a certain age, but what they need for their safety and well being. And what's required so that we are not called every hour to come fix another crisis that's a result of their 'independent' living situation. That's not 'independence' at all if they're reliant on us for everything!
This can get confusing as after a certain age it is not about wants, it is about needs and making rational decisions. Many seniors stay in their homes much too long, they have a façade of independence but that is all it is, everyone is doing something for them, so that they can pretend that they are independent.
Moving them into an Independent Living apartment, with a step up program would most likely be ideal. What is the purpose of buying another home at their age? Does this really make any financial sense? Why not invest the proceeds from the home so that a cash flow stream can be in place for their future?
When the home no longer works for them. Look up IADLs and ADLs to acquaint yourself of these living skills anyone needs to remain independent. A smaller home is sometimes a good idea but not always. Location. Access to amenities. Taxes. Ability to safely ambulate. Many factors to consider. The local Area Agency on Aging (each county has one) can do an assessment of the parent and help determine what services they need now or in the near future. This should help make an appropriate decision for your parent. Note: Look up Atul Gawande’s book “Being Mortal, Medicine and What Matters in the End”. It’s a good book to read if you haven’t on helping a parent live their best life all the way to the end of their life.
Best of luck!
Moving them into an Independent Living apartment, with a step up program would most likely be ideal. What is the purpose of buying another home at their age? Does this really make any financial sense? Why not invest the proceeds from the home so that a cash flow stream can be in place for their future?
Good Luck!
Look up IADLs and ADLs to acquaint yourself of these living skills anyone needs to remain independent.
A smaller home is sometimes a good idea but not always. Location. Access to amenities. Taxes. Ability to safely ambulate. Many factors to consider.
The local Area Agency on Aging (each county has one) can do an assessment of the parent and help determine what services they need now or in the near future. This should help make an appropriate decision for your parent.
Note: Look up Atul Gawande’s book “Being Mortal, Medicine and What Matters in the End”. It’s a good book to read if you haven’t on helping a parent live their best life all the way to the end of their life.