It’s never easy to decide when it’s time to move mom from her home, but it’s a necessary step to ensure she’s benefiting the most out of life. She may show signs that she can no longer maintain her home alone or she may just need extra assistance and attention. Whatever the case, our elder care experts at Paths Elder Law understand what it takes to make a smooth transition. Before you get started, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help transition your mom from a home to an apartment in Kansas City.
How to Transition Aging Loved Ones to New Housing in Kansas City →
*This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The use of the Paths Law Firm website does not constitute a client-lawyer relationship.
1. Have a conversation
The process may not be easy for mom, even if it is her idea. You should sit down with her and talk about concerns and fears regarding moving to a smaller place to live, and help her understand that moving is the best decision. The key to having a smooth transition is being open and honest about everything. Let her depend on you for support; it could make all the difference.
2. Understand her needs
You can use the conversation to start gauging what mom needs in an apartment. Does she simply need to downsize, or does she need medical attention as well? This will take some close watching on your part. You may originally think the move is just for financial reasons, but if you start noticing signs of aging that could affect her ability to live independently, the moving plan could change.
If you’re unsure what to look for, use our caring for aging parents checklist to get you started.
3. Research apartments
Now that you know your mom’s needs, take the time to research apartments to help transition your mom from a home to an apartment in Kansas City. There are many options out there to choose from, so it’s important to understand what you need and don’t need.
To help, here are some questions to ask yourself:
“Why am I moving my mom?”
The answer will give you insight on next steps; there could be a variety of factors that are in play. For instance, your mother may be widowed and no longer needs the space. If she can still take care of herself on her own, you may opt for independent living. That way she’ll have a sense of community while keeping her sense of independence.
“Does my mother have health issues?”
If your answer is yes, you may have to consider some kind of assisted-living-styled apartment. This way, you won’t have to worry about her health conditions getting worse.
Guide to Transitioning Your Aging Loved One to Assisted Living→
“What is the budget?”
When researching apartments, you should always have a solid budget in mind. You don’t want to apartment shop blindly. Understand what kind of apartment your mom needs and the average costs, then you can move forward with narrowing down your options.
4. Consider payment options
If mom has to get an apartment in a senior living facility, especially one with more advanced medical assistance, you’ll want to plan your finances accordingly. This means speaking with insurance companies, talking to other family members, looking at your personal finances, and understanding VA and other benefits.
5. Embrace your support system
Don’t ever feel like you have to go through the process alone. If you have siblings or other family members who can help, get them involved. Together you can make decisions and help each other through the transition. It’ll also help your mother to see her family come together to support her during the change.
6. Surround her with familiar items
When it comes time to transition mom from a home to an apartment in Kansas City, try to bring some familiarity with you. It could be as simple as a few decorations and family photos. In doing so, your mother can feel more at home, and the change will be less jarring.
7. Spend time with her
Let your mom know that she’s important to you. Whenever you can, visit her at her new apartment and let her know that you’re still there. Spending time with your mom is a great way to keep her positive, and you can let her know that the transition is a chance for her to have a fresh start.
Learn more about parent home transitions with Paths Elder Law
For over 25 years our team of dedicated elder law attorneys and elder law experts have helped our clients make smooth transitions from homes to apartments.
If you need help throughout the moving process, schedule a consultation with us today. We can guide you through any questions you may have and give you legal advice on the best next steps.
