Moving Home to Help Aging Parents: Where to Start?
It’s normal to want aging parents close as they start needing help at home. Unfortunately, moving your aging parents closer isn’t always an option. Your parents may have medical issues that make moving impractical or live in a location with a lower cost-of-living or better healthcare.
Whatever the reason, that leaves adult children with just one option: moving yourself.
Living nearby aging parents provides an opportunity to reconnect and lets adult children keep a closer eye on parents’ physical and cognitive wellbeing. And thanks to remote work, it’s more doable than ever before.
Still, relocating is complicated. Should you rent, buy, or move in with your elderly parents? Will you find a new job or work remotely? And how can you navigate shifting family dynamics and maintain your own life?
There are no easy answers when it comes to aging, but we hope these tips from 5R Suites help you make the best decision for your family.
UNDERSTAND YOUR PARENT'S NEEDS
Underestimating the demands of family caregiving is a recipe for resentment and burnout. Understand the responsibilities of a family caregiver and make sure you’re up to the task.
If you’re juggling a career, family, or have a fraught relationship, reconsider becoming your parents’ primary caregiver. You can still help out and spend quality time together while letting an in-home care agency or assisted living facility handle daily care.
ASSESS YOUR LIVING OPTIONS
Moving in with your parents is the most budget-friendly option, but is it the best one? Don’t underestimate the importance of a space of your own where you can decompress from the stresses of caregiving.
Buying a home is a good choice if you intend to stay long-term. A caregiver’s role lasts four years on average, but one in three provide care for less than a year. Assess your parents’ health and whether you’re likely to continue living locally or move away after your role as family caregiver ends.
Not prepared to set down roots permanently? 5R Suites offers modern furnished suites designed for mid-long term stays. Instead of dealing with the hassle of renting and furnishing an apartment, you can enjoy the comforts of home with the convenience of a hotel.
If you do opt to cohabit with parents, consider purchasing a new home. Most older Americans live in homes not designed to accommodate disability. A new home is an opportunity to increase accessibility while adding privacy to your shared living space. The best homes for multigenerational living have multiple master suites located in separate wings of the home or a separate mother-in-law suite or “granny flat.”
PREPARE FOR A QUICK MOVE
1. Start job hunting now
Can’t take your job with you? Out-of-state applicants are at a disadvantage in the job market but you can overcome that by listing your new address in applications and addressing your relocation in cover letters and interviews. Alternatively, apply for remote jobs where geographical location isn’t a factor.
2. Price your home competitively
You don’t have time to waste while your house lingers on the market. Complete simple touch-ups like fresh paint and quick repairs, then price to sell. In today’s hot market you can sell a house quickly without relying on investors and flippers.
3. Learn the local real estate market
Living out-of-state adds an extra layer of complexity to buying a home. Start researching home prices and neighborhoods in advance and find a buyer’s agent who can offer local insights from afar. You’ll also want to get pre-approved before you’re ready to buy so you can move quickly when you find the right home.
4. Consider renting
Even if you plan to buy, temporarily renting takes the pressure off and gives you time to get to know the area. To avoid buying furniture for somewhere you’ll only live a few months, opt for a furnished apartment with 5R Suites.
5. Hire help
This isn’t the time to DIY your move. Hiring a moving company takes a massive burden off your shoulders and lets you focus on what really matters. Other worthwhile purchases include packing services, a cleaning company, and portable storage containers.
SUMMARY
There’s a lot that’s difficult about caring for aging parents, but getting here shouldn’t be one of them. Let 5R Suites simplify your transition with hassle-free accommodations in our Bay Area and PNW locations. Our thoughtfully designed apartments are built for comfort and privacy with fully-equipped kitchens, Wi-Fi-equipped workspaces, and in-unit laundry. Learn more and book your extended stay with 5R Suites.
#eldercare #caringforparents #agingparents #movingtolivewithparents #extendedstay #moveinready #fullyfurnished #corporatehousing #moving #caregiving #caregiver #realestate #tacoma