I'm so worried about my dad. My parents live in a second story condo. He was diagnosed with ALS 2.5 years ago. I immediately encouraged them to put their place on the market, but he was still walking well (his case began with loss of upper body strength), and plus this diagnosis was tough to take, so I'm sure they were in some level of denial. This is their dream retirement home, nothing super fancy, but they love it and it’s tough to let go. A year ago as he began to struggle more they finally did list their home for sale, but their area has been very slow to recover from the real estate downturn. They haven't gotten a single offer. They have dropped the price. They have open houses every week. The place is in very good condition, nice area, and according to my real estate friend who checked comps, the asking price seems fair. They are holding out for the spring season, which is by far the busiest real estate time in their area.
Meanwhile, though, by now my dad can barely walk. He is becoming virtually a prisoner upstairs. They have looked into a stair lift, but the only type the building can accommodate would require transfers in and out of chairs for two different segments, and he can barely lift himself as it is. (The building stairwell can't accommodate the type of lift that carries a wheelchair.) I don't think it would be worth the large investment for something he won't be able to use much, when they may really need the money for moving expenses and converting their vehicle. He somehow is still dragging himself up the stairs when absolutely necessary, but I know he can't continue like this for long. My mom is much smaller than him and can't lift him. They don't have the money to move until they sell this place, nor can they afford to cut the price really drastically. I hope this spring real estate season really does pick up, as they are counting on, but in the meantime I worry what will happen when he needs to get out, whether for doctor’s appointments, an emergency like a fire, or just getting out for basic quality of life. My husband and I live out of state and have been flying in every 4-5 weeks to help, but due to jobs and family (we are also caring for my husband’s mom with cancer here) we can't be with them to help through the day to day stuff. We've talked of renting out their place and them renting elsewhere, but that is complicated too because if a tenant backed out on them they could be stuck paying for two places. I'm just not sure how to help or what we can do. We do have some financial means to help a little, and we have offered to help with expenses, but they also don't want to accept help. Argh.
Meanwhile, though, by now my dad can barely walk. He is becoming virtually a prisoner upstairs. They have looked into a stair lift, but the only type the building can accommodate would require transfers in and out of chairs for two different segments, and he can barely lift himself as it is. (The building stairwell can't accommodate the type of lift that carries a wheelchair.) I don't think it would be worth the large investment for something he won't be able to use much, when they may really need the money for moving expenses and converting their vehicle. He somehow is still dragging himself up the stairs when absolutely necessary, but I know he can't continue like this for long. My mom is much smaller than him and can't lift him. They don't have the money to move until they sell this place, nor can they afford to cut the price really drastically. I hope this spring real estate season really does pick up, as they are counting on, but in the meantime I worry what will happen when he needs to get out, whether for doctor’s appointments, an emergency like a fire, or just getting out for basic quality of life. My husband and I live out of state and have been flying in every 4-5 weeks to help, but due to jobs and family (we are also caring for my husband’s mom with cancer here) we can't be with them to help through the day to day stuff. We've talked of renting out their place and them renting elsewhere, but that is complicated too because if a tenant backed out on them they could be stuck paying for two places. I'm just not sure how to help or what we can do. We do have some financial means to help a little, and we have offered to help with expenses, but they also don't want to accept help. Argh.