Should Your Loved One Downsize Their Home?
It is a difficult decision for any family to decide when an elderly loved one should downsize their home.
It's hard because you have to confront the reality of them living in a different environment and being dependent on others, but it is also tough because they may not want to leave the place they call home.
It can be helpful to look at these signs that might indicate that your loved one needs more assistance or has outgrown their current space.
Their Home is Too Big for Routine Care
If your elderly parents or grandparents live in a home that is too large for them to handle on their own, they may need more assistance than you are able to provide.
This can mean hiring caregivers or making sure there is always someone around looking after them while you're at work so this doesn't become an issue.
The house itself might be hard to navigate because of stairs, narrow hallways, and doors which make it difficult if not impossible for your loved one with limited mobility to maneuver through the space independently.
Certain Areas in the Home Have Become Inaccessible
This leads us to another factor. If your loved one can't get in or out of certain rooms in their house, it may be time to downsize.
You also want to take a look at which rooms they are able to use and which ones remain untouched because they don't have easy access.
Moving in Different Rooms is Becoming Hazardous
If your loved one is in the habit of moving from room to room within their home, but it's becoming dangerous because they are not staying close enough to stairs or other hazards - this could be another sign that it may be time for them to downsize.
You want to make sure they can get around safely without injuring themselves. Even though there might only be a few more years left before they pass on, you don't want anything happening while you're away that may render them helpless.
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It also means finding ways for your elderly parent with limited mobility issues like arthritis to still move about independently.
Home Maintenance is Difficult and Time-Consuming
A major clue that your loved one may need to move into a smaller home or apartment is how much work it takes to keep up with the maintenance of the house. If you see the garden starting to die, clogged gutters, snow that needs to be shoveled, or areas around the house that haven’t been cleaned in months, it may be time to downsize.
Take a look at the budget and see what options you have available to make the transition one where your loved one still feels financially secure after leaving behind their established life in their current residence.
If you’re looking to move your loved one into a small care facility with dedicated attention and professional care, please give us a call at Magnolia Gardens. We’re ready to answer any of your questions with care and compassion. Tours are always welcome. This is a huge transition in life and it’s so important to make your loved one feel as comfortable as possible.