Uprooting Your Senior: What to Know in Benton, AR

Residents of Benton, Arkansas can receive senior care from Visiting Angels.

Transferring an older loved one can be somewhat intimidating because it involves packing up a lifetime's memories and belongings. When you factor in a diagnosis of dementia or another terminal illness, a history of conflict in your relationship, or the recent death of a spouse, your decision-making process becomes much more challenging. Even so, there are situations when relocating is required to provide better attention and assistance and meet an elderly loved one's needs.

Keep these things in mind as you consider the benefits and drawbacks of moving, whether across town or the country:

More Than a Change of Address: Moving

Many caregivers are unaware of the emotional toll that moving can have. There is stress associated with packing, organizing logistics, selling a home, and other tasks. Still, there is also the emotional upheaval brought on by the idea of leaving one's habits, comfort zone, and home for many years. It won't be simple to leave behind friends, neighbors, and everything familiar, even if a parent or senior loved one hasn't been able to care for the house or participate in the neighborhood for a time. They're saying goodbye to their favorite eateries, shops, or a mailman they've known for years. Long-distance travelers can be professionals familiar with their complex medical histories and care requirements. They won't see the gorgeous lake view from their bedroom window or the kids playing in their neighbor's yard next door.

When you consider how much simpler it will be to take care of Mom when she lives downstairs or down the street, keep in mind all that Mom is leaving behind. Starting any discussion about a future shift from this point of empathy and understanding will probably be more well-received.

It takes a team to move.

Again, it's crucial to involve your elderly loved one in the process in addition to the physical labor required for packing, unpacking, downsizing, and streamlining. Inquire about their preferences for a location to call home and what they liked best about the place they are leaving.

Would it be better for Dad to preserve his independence in a modest apartment close to you rather than being moved into the basement apartment of your home? Think about factors including proximity and the effect on your relationship. Make sure you both have a private area in the house when you need space if you and your parent are moving in together after a period of poor ties.

You can all benefit from intergenerational relationships if your children or grandchildren are still living in or frequently visiting your house. However, you'll also need to prepare to adjust to a new resident and the new dynamic.

Moving is a continuous process.

It takes time to move. You move, unpack, and settle after packing.

These are just the actual physical tasks; unpacking and settling take time. It takes time to become used to a new schedule and location. Having your mother-in-law relocate to your time zone will be a significant shift if she previously resided in a different time zone and you only spoke on the phone once or twice per month. Making new friends won't happen overnight, and you might need to help people connect on a social level. You'll need to look for new healthcare professionals. This can also take some time, especially if you're determined to discover the best match. Be gentle with yourself and your loved one while these changes occur. Sometimes you may need to encourage your loved one to find friends or a pastime, and other times you may need to take a step back.

Your senior loved one can meet new individuals in a new community or establish new acquaintances through social media. Click here to learn more about the advantages of getting an elderly loved one on social media.

Relocation Modifies a Person

Moving is stressful by nature and may bring out the worst in people. However, it can also provide you a chance to engage with a parent or elder relative in new ways at this new stage of your life. Nevertheless, the relocation will alter your lives as a couple. Your life and household dynamics and daily routine will change due to the older adult you are "uprooting." In this new phase of your relationship, be ready for potential power struggles or conflict and open to unexpected joy.

Start constructing your village right away.

You could believe that by bringing your loved one closer, you'll be able to provide care for them on your own. And while that might be true initially, you should start building your caregiving village as soon as possible. Setting up as much of that support network before the move as possible is best because it will take your mind off the stress of moving and settling.

As you prepare to move, start looking into and corresponding with regional home care agencies. Find out what services they provide and how they might be able to accommodate your loved one's particular demands and circumstances. Consider beginning services as soon as your parent or senior relative arrives, even if it's just for a few hours a week, to build a rapport with the organization and form a relationship with a trained caregiver. If you discover that your loved one needs more or less care than you planned while they are there, you can make the necessary adjustments. However, getting started sooner will make the move to home care more accessible when the time comes.

Click below to learn more about companion care and how it might be precisely what your elderly loved one needs in their new environment.