Motor vehicle accidents, strokes, heart attacks, the onset of Alzheimer’s, or a number of other events can alter your loved one’s ability to function and care for themselves. In these situations it’s critical that you remain supportive of a newly disabled family member. If you or someone you know is going through a family health crisis and you need to relocate your disabled family member, here are some things you can do to help them live a more normal lifestyle.
Make Sure Support Is Within Reach
When a disabled family member loses the ability to do Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) they take a big shot to their ego. Things that were once easy are now exceedingly difficult, nay impossible.
Changes need to be made to help them acclimate to a new reality while allowing them maintain their independence.
Family and friends may be living farther away so support may not be readily available.
While it’s an option, making modifications to their current house can be exceedingly expensive and your loved one may not be able to organize the contractors required to make those changes.
Selling their Greenville NC house to a Local Home Buyer like Pitt Home Buyers is be the best way to remove them from their stressful situation since they can close in two weeks.
A fast house sale gives them the opportunity to move closer to family and friends, where support is more readily available.
Know What Community Support Is Available
Moving a disabled family member to another area of Greenville NC can be an easy transition.
Greenville has fantastic resources to help those with disabilities and provide them with a place to commune with others and make new friends.
Public Transit (the GREAT Bus) has options for those who are unable to access busses in the usual fashion. County agencies like the Council on Aging and Senior Daycares provide great opportunities where they can do fun daytime activities and get some exercise!
The crime in our area is relatively low at the time of this writing and Greenville is always making new changes every day to accommodate those with disabilities.
If you’re relocating your loved one to a new city or state be sure to speak with someone at your local health department to learn about all of the support systems that are available in that area. Talk with some of the local officials about crime and check a crime map once a year to see where things are heading.
Buy And Modify A House
If your loved one is still able to perform a majority of their activities of daily living, you may decide that it’s best for them to continue owning a house or renting at a skilled care facility.
Both are great options and will continue to allow them the chance to be independent, which is all anyone really wants.
You can use the proceeds from the cash sale of their previous home to put a down payment on or purchase outright, a new house for them that’s closer to you and more accessible for them.
If the house doesn’t have “out of the box” accessibility modifications, someone will need to be hired to install a wheelchair ramp, support bars, widened doorways, and a walk-in shower amongst other things.
Rent At A Skilled Care Facility
Renting at a skilled care facility like Cypress Glenn can be expensive, but if their condition is degenerative then it’s probably the best call.
The upside is that skilled care facilities have everything your loved one needs to access their unit and other parts of the campus. They also have staff readily available to help with any needs they may have.
This takes a lot of stress off of your shoulders and puts it on the professionals.
Moving Them In With You
Moving a disabled family member in with you is a big decision. Not only will you need to manage everything in your life, but you’re going to need to be available for when they need support.
While it can be challenging, having their family members surrounding them on a daily basis will help keep up their morale and improve their life as a whole.
Ask other family members to help with simple tasks and have someone you can “tag in” when you need a break.
Burnout is a real thing when a disabled family member moves into your house, so be sure to get plenty of rest and take frequent breaks.
While the situation is never a pleasant one to deal with, these are just a few of the options that can help give your loved one the support they need and reduce the pressure on yourself.