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Mentor

Downsizing, To Move or Not to Move? That is the Question

Posted by Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor @rosemarya, Apr 12, 2020

At some point as we age, we will have to make a decision about leaving our homes and downsizing. Maybe in our own town or to another town. Maybe to smaller home, condo, apartment, or assisted living/senior community.

When the time comes to downsize, seniors can struggle with a multitude of emotional, physical, and financial challenges.

How do you make an informed decision about when to downsize?
What tips do you have to share?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

beckboop13 | @beckboop13 | 2 days ago
In reply to @edsutton "You might also consider the simple life joys you want to maintain as long as possible...." + (show)
@edsutton

You might also consider the simple life joys you want to maintain as long as possible.
Are there things in your neighborhood that are easy to enjoy that give you a big payoff for little effort or cost?

For example, there is a state park adjacent to our neighborhood. We don't need to drive to enjoy a daily walk in the woods. And there won't be more housing developments nearby. That is a big plus for staying where we are.

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Yes, there are many things nearby that we would not have if we moved. Walking paths,, Biking paths, Heated Olympic pools,restaurants,movies,gyms, all Within 5-10
Minutes away by walking, car or golf cart or biking.
Plus warm weather.

We would be trading this to be building on to our son and Daughter-in-law‘s home. A car ride is necessary to get everywhere and it is cold.

Am I crazy?

REPLY
edsutton | @edsutton | 1 day ago

If your cognitive difficulties progress to the degree that you need to be in memory care, your son can arrange for a place near to him if that is the best solution.
If you prefer to stay where you are as long as possible, now is the time to make your current situation as manageable as possible.
Can you find a certified senior advisor to help you make plans, and perhaps include your son in the conversation?
Here is a person we met with in Durham NC. Some of the links on her site may help you find someone near you. < https://agingfamilysolutions.com/meet-the-founder&gt;

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1 reply
gravity3 | @gravity3 | 1 day ago
In reply to @edsutton "If your cognitive difficulties progress to the degree that you need to be in memory care,..." + (show)
@edsutton

If your cognitive difficulties progress to the degree that you need to be in memory care, your son can arrange for a place near to him if that is the best solution.
If you prefer to stay where you are as long as possible, now is the time to make your current situation as manageable as possible.
Can you find a certified senior advisor to help you make plans, and perhaps include your son in the conversation?
Here is a person we met with in Durham NC. Some of the links on her site may help you find someone near you. < https://agingfamilysolutions.com/meet-the-founder&gt;

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Thanks for this information Ed. However the link didn't work for me. Can you check it.

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1 reply
hopenr | @hopenr | 1 day ago

I wonder about this a lot. I live in a three story townhome with no bathroom on the main floor and I wonder how long I am going to be able to climb stairs all day. Or if I want to. And I need half the space I currently have. The issue for me is finances. All my equity is in the home. I could use direction and information.

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 1 day ago
In reply to @gravity3 "Thanks for this information Ed. However the link didn't work for me. Can you check it." + (show)
@gravity3

Thanks for this information Ed. However the link didn't work for me. Can you check it.

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Oops, Ed's like had a couple of extra characters.
This one works:
https://agingfamilysolutions.com/meet-the-founder

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 1 day ago
In reply to @hopenr "I wonder about this a lot. I live in a three story townhome with no bathroom..." + (show)
@hopenr

I wonder about this a lot. I live in a three story townhome with no bathroom on the main floor and I wonder how long I am going to be able to climb stairs all day. Or if I want to. And I need half the space I currently have. The issue for me is finances. All my equity is in the home. I could use direction and information.

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It might be helpful to contact an eldercare professional, Ed's link might give you a start:
https://agingfamilysolutions.com/meet-the-founder
Also, contact your state or county. For example, Minnesota has resources to get you started through their Senior Linkage Line:
https://mn.gov/senior-linkage-line/
Google for "senior services [your location]" to find resources in your state or county.

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llnd2sey | @llnd2sey | 1 day ago

Struggling with move to a retirement home in different city even though our daughter lives there. Dreading giving up hometown, neighborhood, church, home. I suffer from depression, separation anxiety and panic attacks. Having trouble controlling emotions. Moving out of state so losing support of therapist and phycologist. Fear of losing control and having no professional support.

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1 reply
methel | @methel | 10 hours ago
In reply to @llnd2sey "Struggling with move to a retirement home in different city even though our daughter lives there...." + (show)
@llnd2sey

Struggling with move to a retirement home in different city even though our daughter lives there. Dreading giving up hometown, neighborhood, church, home. I suffer from depression, separation anxiety and panic attacks. Having trouble controlling emotions. Moving out of state so losing support of therapist and phycologist. Fear of losing control and having no professional support.

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This is a major life change which will take time to process and so there aren’t any magic ways to get over it overnight, but there are ways to make it easier.

I’m not clear if you have already picked the retirement community. But if you haven’t, I would consider the moving/adjustment assistance it will provide in the decision. Some do more than others as part of the process and some provide extra pay services like down-sizing expertise and hands-on help. If already committed to a community, I would learn of and plan to use all of their relevant services.

I would ask my daughter or another trusted person to further help with investigating the available services.

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