Moving into a nursing home: What relatives need to take care of
Anyone with aging relatives knows the worry all too well: How much longer will my mother, father, or sister be able to manage in their own home? In many cases, a move to a nursing home eventually becomes unavoidable. As a relative, you then have to juggle many tasks at once: finding a nursing home, organizing the move, selling the property, and making the transition as easy as possible for your relative. You can save yourself a lot of stress by carefully planning everything that needs to be done beforehand.
Many people, when their parents or relatives become dependent on care, try to manage the care and support themselves for as long as possible alongside their own work commitments. This continues until the burden becomes completely overwhelming and it becomes clear: this cannot continue. Once the decision to move into a nursing home has been made – what are the next steps?
Finding a suitable care facility
Your search for a suitable care facility will likely begin with an internet search. Key selection criteria include the facility's location – such as its proximity to your home – the prices, and the care focus. Naturally, you must also consider your financing options, as well as the atmosphere and the care services that are important to your relative. The so-called care ratings from the Medical Service of the Health Insurance Funds can provide some guidance. However, it is far more informative to visit the care homes under consideration and form your own opinion. Speak not only with the management but also with residents and caregivers. This will usually give you a good indication of whether the residents are treated with love and warmth.
Organize the move and accompany your relatives
A new home in a professionally and lovingly managed care facility can also be an opportunity for a new, positive chapter in life. Nevertheless, most elderly people are afraid of leaving their familiar surroundings. Therefore, it is especially important that you make the transition as easy as possible for your loved one. This includes your loving and understanding support as well as your active assistance when it comes to the move. However, trying to handle everything yourself can be counterproductive. Instead, it is important to find service providers who can take as much off your plate as possible, so that the stress of moving doesn't further exacerbate an already difficult situation.
Sell property
Alongside the search for a care home and the move itself, with all its challenges, you often also need to consider what to do with your relative's property. Selling it can be a sensible option, perhaps even to help finance their care costs. Here, too, the same principle applies as with the move – it's advisable to leave it to a professional. Using a local real estate agent for the sale will save you a great deal of time and effort. And you already have more than enough on your plate. Furthermore, with the help of a professional agent, you have the assurance that a fair market price will be achieved.
Do you need advice on managing the property of your relative requiring care, or support with selling it? Contact us!
You can find more information here:
https://www.aok.de/pk/uni/inhalt/pflegeheim-finden-3/
https://www.pflege-durch-angehoerige.de/produkte-dienstleistungen/immobilien/hausverkauf-alter/
Notes
For the sake of readability, this text uses the generic masculine form. Female and other gender identities are explicitly included where relevant to the statement.
This article does not constitute tax or legal advice for any specific case. Please consult a lawyer and/or tax advisor to clarify the facts of your individual situation.
Photo: ©Feverpitch/Depositphotos.com
About the author
Harry Mohr
Real estate agent (Chamber of Industry and Commerce)Harry Mohr, author of this article
