Move or purchase new home

[cheiv23]

I have lived in a 2 story home which my husband and I built in 1996, which my husband now has health issues such as Parkinson disease which comes with dementia and what is called sun downing. He has fallen several times on the steps and in various parts of our home. It has been suggested to us to have a bedroom on the first floor, which all of our bedrooms are on the first floor. My problem is I do not know what is best for us to get the bedroom on the first floor. Should we move to a new home with a bedroom on the first floor, build a bedroom on the first floor to our existing home or purchase a stair lift. Is there anyone else out their who has gone through this that can help me make a wise decision which I can live with?

Lucy

[athena53]

I'd suggest moving as a last resort. My husband and I have our house on the market, also looking for everything on one floor. Selling a house is SO disruptive. The house has been on the market less than 2 weeks and we've had 40 showings. That's good news, I guess, but you're not supposed to be in the house when people come through. Imagine trying to get your husband out of the house every time someone wants to see it, and having to keep it clean and picked up, waste baskets out of sight, no dirty laundry or dishes in the sink, etc. I'm healthy, my DH is in pretty good shape and I'm still finding it stressful. Putting the house on the market was preceded by weeks of de-cluttering, donating, rearranging, and expensive cosmetic fix-ups.


Is there any room on the main floor (e.g. a formal dining room) that you can clear out and make into a bedroom? I assume there's a bathroom on that floor.

[cheiv23]

Yes, I do have a formal dining room. Thanks again for your suggestion, I guess since you are going thru what you are going thru to sell your home...not sure why you are selling your home...may be you may need to just remodel too.

[athena53]

My DH is almost 77 and has a balance problem due to 2 previous falls. Our master BR is on the first floor but we hang out on our computers upstairs a lot and his Man Cave is in our finished basement. We want a ranch to minimize the possibility of another fall.

Ranch homes sell quickly here. I believe we're not alone!

[Bamaman]

When we moved 300 miles to downsize, we intentionally purchased a house with 3 bedrooms on one level. We still have 900 square feet finished in the basement, and all the room we need. I already have a wheelchair ramp coming out of the garage.

In our previous house, my wife fell twice and just about broke her leg once. That's when I pulled her off her job, applied and got social security disability. She later had successful spinal stenosis surgery.

I would suggest you play it very conservative and either fix the dining room into a bedroom. Or, add on a bedroom if you house is configured to where you can do it.

[Moemg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheiv23 I have lived in a 2 story home which my husband and I built in 1996, which my husband now has health issues such as Parkinson disease which comes with dementia and what is called sun downing. He has fallen several times on the steps and in various parts of our home. It has been suggested to us to have a bedroom on the first floor, which all of our bedrooms are on the first floor. My problem is I do not know what is best for us to get the bedroom on the first floor. Should we move to a new home with a bedroom on the first floor, build a bedroom on the first floor to our existing home or purchase a stair lift. Is there anyone else out their who has gone through this that can help me make a wise decision which I can live with? Lucy

Do you love this house ? If so I would suggest a stair lift or finding an area for a first floor bed room.