Our big family homes contain some of our very favorite memories. However, if your parent or senior loved one is getting to the point where they need daily assistance – or have been diagnosed with dementia – that wonderful family home quickly becomes too big, too dangerous, too much. It’s time to move Mom or Dad into a memory care assisted living facility, that much you know. But what is the best way to tackle downsizing years and years of accumulated stuff and get the home ready for sale?
“Let’s face it – moving can be a lot of work,” says Trish McKay, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Trumbull, a memory care assisted living community in Trumbull, CT. “This is especially true if your loved one has dementia. However, don’t be deterred – these days, there are many senior-friendly moving assistance resources you can use to navigate through this process.”
Before you begin the process, however, Trish recommends making sure that you have the legal right to sell your loved one’s home. “Only the person who owns the house can sell and transfer ownership to a buyer, so you will need to have the appropriate power of attorney set up,” she says. Otherwise, your sale could quickly turn into a lengthy and expensive legal battle. Trish recommends meeting with a lawyer to make sure everything is squared away in advance – just to be safe.
1. Start decluttering earlier rather than later.
It’s a lot easier to declutter and get rid of extra “stuff” if you tackle it a little bit at a time instead of all in one fell swoop. If you have time, start by going through your parent’s belongings (be sure to include him or her in the decision-making process as much as possible) and sorting everything out into keep, donate or trash piles. Make note of furniture and other important objects that are “must haves” if you haven’t yet moved Mom or Dad into senior living – these favorite items will need to go with him or her to help the community feel more like “home.” As you declutter, you can pack up items that aren’t needed immediately and store them for the eventual move. However, don’t get rid of everything – you’ll want to make sure the home is still stageable in order to entice buyers.
2. Hire a senior-friendly real estate agent.
The needs of senior home-sellers are often different from the general population, which is why it’s important to find a seasoned real estate agent who’s had experience moving older adults. The National Association of REALTORS® supports approximately 20,000 Senior Real Estate Specialists (SRES®) nationwide. These specialized Realtors have been trained on buying and selling habits of older adults and how to market older homes. They also can provide assistance with relocation resources, financing and other related aspects of the home sale process. You can find a SRES agent in your area by visiting https://sres.realtor/.
3. Prepare a realistic timeline for everything.
Selling a family home can take a very long time. In some cases, it can take more than a year. It’s recommended that caregivers should plan for at least an 8-10 week window for relocation of their senior loved one. This will give you and other helpers enough time to manage all the steps of relocation, including choosing movers, downsizing, setting up the new space in a memory care community, packing and moving, unpacking and finally selling the home.
4. Stage appropriately.
Staging your home is your best secret weapon when it comes to selling a home quickly. Your real estate agent should be able to assist and give suggestions for how to show off the house in the best possible light. Be sure to fix major (and some minor) issues that could cause a problem at closing. You’ll also want to ensure the home gets a deep cleaning and perhaps a fresh coat of paint to brighten everything up. Even if your parent hasn’t made any sort of upgrades or renovations for decades, your realtor can suggest some small touches that won’t put you out of pocket too much, but will make a big difference when it’s time to sell.
5. Plan ahead if possible.
It’s not always possible to plan when Mom or Dad will need to move into memory care and sell the family home. However, if you do have the opportunity, start making plans early – maybe even once your loved one has been diagnosed. The earlier you begin planning, the more your loved one will be able to provide input and share their wishes for what they want to happen. Planning ahead can also allow you to research real estate agents, learn more about the market and make repairs without rushing.
6. Look into financing options.
Many family members will use the sale of the family home to help fund their loved one’s stay in memory care assisted living. It’s possible that Mom or Dad will need to move into care before the home is sold, so you may wish to look into a bridge loan that can help fund a move without you having to rush through a home sale. A bridge loan can also help with covering the cost of home repairs, staging and decluttering. Depending on your financial situation, this can greatly help reduce stress for you and your loved one.
7. Ask the memory care community for tips.
Physically moving your loved one from the family home can be an emotional experience, and the risk of “transfer trauma” – a term that describes the stress someone with dementia can experience when changing living situations – is high. Memory care communities have extensive experience in helping residents adjust to life in their new homes, and will be able to offer assistance, tips and resources to help minimize the impact on your loved one.
8. Be kind – to your senior and yourself.
Saying goodbye to “home” can be very emotional and difficult for everyone involved. A little bit of kindness and understanding will go a long way to making the process easier. Understand that there may be tears, anger and potential resistance – that’s completely normal. You yourself may find yourself getting weepy over selling the home you grew up in. You may wish to have close friends or family members on-hand for emotional support as you manage the move and selling process.
Dedicated Memory Care
Bridges® by EPOCH at Trumbull delivers highly specialized memory care assisted living for those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Our resident-centered approach focuses on providing dignity, purpose and moments of joy in daily life for those in all stages of the disease. We offer a wellness-focused lifestyle that centers around a resident’s current skills and abilities, not those that have been lost to dementia.
Life-Enriching Programs
Our team members take an active role in getting to know each resident on a personal level to deliver programming that is meaningful to them. We account for the preferences, interests, needs and abilities of our residents to connect with them and encourage their involvement in daily life and boost self-esteem.
Warm, Residential Atmosphere
Featuring a stunning residential design, every inch of our community has been designed to benefit those with memory loss. Attributes such as soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations create a soothing and secure environment where residents feel comfortable, safe and at home.
Contact us today to learn more.