Making your move

Changing circumstances as you grow older may make changed living arrangements a sensible move.

To move or not to move?

Moving house can bring positive benefits, such as lowered home maintenance concerns, surroundings that make daily activities easier, and bringing friends, family and other support closer to hand.

However moving can be stressful. Moving away from a family home or familiar neighbourhood can be especially challenging when it means moving away from a life history of experiences and long established networks and support systems.

The move may be traumatic where it is due to changing health or financial circumstances, or when it follows the death of a spouse or life companion.

Things to consider when planning a move:

• Your level of health or disability in relation to access, stairs, maintenance, repairs, household facilities and amenities, etc
• Access to services and recreation
• Level of support from family, carers
• Size and space for family members to visit, or caregivers to stay
• Cultural differences and requirements
• Economic issues, including rent, mortgage, repairs, rates, maintenance.

Moving in with family

Multi-generational households can seem the answer to everyone’s problems. And they can be, providing support and companionship for old and young. However, unclear or informal arrangements can lead to family dissent and even elder abuse.

Checklist before moving in:

• Talk frankly about the issues and assumptions involved. Does everyone share common expectations about finances, personal spaces, personal possessions, food, cooking, caregiving, transport, noise and friends?
• If you are looking at merging your financial interests, for example by selling your house, get independent legal advice and record expectations and agreements in writing.
• Consider if your move is reversible if your or your family’s needs change?

Resources

Accredited Visiting Service

Accredited volunteer visitors are available for people who want more company, see our AVS pages.

Home support

Some local Age Concerns provide advice and contacts for additional services such as home maintenance, lawn-mowing and gardening, or contacts for reliable and accredited tradespeople

For details on home support services:
Talk to your GP, social worker, or other health professional.