More than 6 million Americans have Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, the pandemic was particularly hard on older adults with memory disorders. In fact, studies show that quarantine may have even exacerbated symptoms. Maybe you’re an older adult still reeling from the effects of the pandemic and struggling to live alone. Or maybe you’re a caregiver wondering whether it’s time to get in contact with real estate agents. For both parties, this can be a difficult call to make. If you’re in that boat today, don’t fret. Here are 5 signs it’s time to sell your home.
1. You can’t afford round-the-clock care anymore.
Home care can be expensive, especially if 24/7 care services are needed. Sometimes, it can be as costly as $15,000 a month! If you’re struggling to write that monthly check, then it might be within your best interests to start contacting real estate agents.
2. Safety (or lack thereof) is a constant source of stress.
Even in the best of circumstances, living alone can warrant some concern. However, for older adults with memory disorders, there may be an extra layer of concern regarding safety. It’s possible for somebody to turn on an appliance and forget to turn it off. Or maybe there’s a particularly steep set of stairs that pose a huge fall risk. Or doors are left unlocked at night. Whatever the case, if you or your loved one are living in an unsafe environment, it might be time to move into a place of care.
3. Grooming has become difficult.
Self-care is important, not only for emotional health but for physical health, too! Personal hygiene guarantees you’ll look and feel your best. So if you or your loved one are struggling to maintain a personal care routine, it might be a good idea to start thinking about alternative living arrangements.
4. You can’t keep up with household chores.
We’ve all been guilty of leaving that plate of leftovers in our fridge so long, it becomes a mold-covered specimen that would be perfect for a child’s science project. Of course, there are times we let dishes pile up in the sink and hampers stay full, too! Life often gets in the way of our responsibilities. But if neglecting the house has become a habit, that’s another story altogether. And if household chores are no longer doable, it might be time to sell.
5. Social isolation has become an issue.
We all feel lonely from time to time. But social isolation goes a step beyond loneliness. Older adults who are socially isolated are even at a greater risk for serious health problems. In other words, socializing is important! So, if you or your loved one are feeling the effects of isolation—don’t delay. It’s not a stretch to say your health might actually be on the line.
Need More Dementia Resources?
To read more articles on Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, then start here:
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Senior Resource Center
Suzanne Newman
Founder and CEO of Answers for Elders, Inc., Suzanne Newman proclaims often, “Caring for my mom was the hardest thing I ever have done, but it was also my greatest privilege.” Following a career of over 25 years in sales, media, and marketing management, Suzanne Newman found herself on a 6-year journey caring for her mother. Her trials and tribulations as a family caregiver inspired an impassioned life mission outside of the corporate world to revolutionize the journey that so many other American families also find themselves on. In 2009, she became the founder and CEO of Answers for Elders, Inc., subsequently hosting hundreds of radio segments and podcasts, as well as authoring her first book. Suzanne and Answers for Elders, Inc. have spent 14 years, and counting, committed to helping families and seniors along their caregiving journeys by providing education, resources, and support. Each week on the Answers for Elders podcast, Suzanne is joined by vetted professional experts in over 65 categories including Health & Wellness, Life Changes, Living Options, Money, Law, and more. Suzanne lives in Edmonds, Washington with her husband, Keith, and their two doodle dogs, Whidbey and Skagit.
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