Moving an Elderly Parent? Read This First

If you have an elderly parent or other loved one, you probably know you may one day have to move him or her away from home.

The move may be to a senior-only housing development, an assisted-living center or into your own home. The decision can be difficult, if not painful, for all parties, but sometimes these transitions are necessary. Therefore, you need to be ready for it.

"It's best to talk these things through while everyone's healthy, so your parent and your siblings know what's going on and there's a plan," says A.J. Nisen, a mortgage loan officer from Contra Costa County, Calif., who has personal experience with the matter. "You don't want to be caught in a situation where your mom is ill, can't stay in her house anymore and you've got to find a place for her, quickly."

Addressing Safety:
If the senior and his or her doctors agree that living unassisted is still safely possible, you may need to look into modifications that will make the home more suitable. These modifications can include the installation of some form of stair assist, bathroom and shower grab bars and hallway handrails.

Another possibility could be lighted flooring that can guide someone at night from the bedroom to the bathroom. Lighting, both natural and electric, is critical for seniors, since our eyesight often worsens with age. Monitoring devices that an individual wears around the neck can summon help in case of a fall or other emergency.

Deciding Whether to Sell:
This is a terrible time to sell a home, but if it's got to be done, it's got to be done. However, there is an alternative if the senior doesn't need the proceeds right way. The home could be rented out until the market improves, or you may find a renter who's willing to take a lease with an option to buy at a certain point. (Read more in How to Sell a House -- Fast.)