WWYD - illness - house move or stay put

[HollyBayTree]

If you were broadly faced with two options - one person is very ill, requires a down stairs bathroom etc, unlikely to see much improvement in their condition, it is life limiting. Both people currently employed FT, ergo not entitled to any welfare/benefit assistance, unless the ill person make rapid steps toward recovery, it is likely they will be unemployed, and longevity probably isnt going to happen either.

There is still 25 % of the mortgage outstanding. Ill person is about to turn 55, so pension access is possible, but commuting 25% of the pension pot will not pay off the outstanding 25% of the mortgage.

Would you

(a) shake and groove to keep the house that you have due to sense of community, friends, ease of commute for the other person, school and so forth, it is an area you know well, grew up in, your GP and hospital are on hand.
or
(b) Downsize, which means moving away a little, either into a not-so-nice area or moving quite a way out of town, which means the ill person may become isolated, getting to school/work/hospital appts becomes a bit of pain, but you will be mortgage fee and able to financially relax a little.

WWYD?

It’s probably not about what you “want” unfortunately, it’s probably about what you can actually afford.

Of course anyone would want to stay where they are, you need to do a spreadsheet and see if that’s possible on one salary or one salary and (potentially) an early pension.

I’d probably go for A but it obviously depends financially. Could you downsize much locally? I think support for both people is incredibly important.

All houses immediately locally are similar in size, style and price. Could move 2-3 miles to a lesser area, or 8-10 miles off the beaten track will less infrastructure links.

I would talk to the other person. Don't they have a say in this?

Wider perspective being garnered. You may have ideas either of the people concerned havent considered.

Is there any critical life insurance attached to the mortgage that would help pay it off and allow you to stay?

If you will be the main carer of the ill person, I would say definitely A as they and you will need help and support.

Can you make savings any other way? Or if the ill person is unable to work, would they be able to claim benefits?

I am assuming the well person will continue to work?

No insurance attached to mortgage unfortunately. Unable to obtain it due to pre-existing health condition when taking out mortgage (makes you wonder how the mortgage was authorised)

Well person will continue working.

All options have been considered - and these are the two remaining viable scenarios.

"A" and use the 25% lump sum to pay towards remaining mortgage. Don't do costly adaptations unless absolutely necessary and of long term benefit.

Unfortunately very difficult to buy security by downsizing if any spare cash has the potential to be eaten away by care costs. Moving away from infrastructure could be costly not just financially but also in terms of time and ability to balance commitments to ill person and rest of family etc.

A, without a shadow of a doubt. Pay anything you can off the mortgage with the pension pot if you can commute it, cut spending where possible and once ill person is unemployed see if there are maybe any grants or benefits you can get?

If there is life insurance to pay off mortgage at the end I would stay put.

A

To do the downstairs loo or a stair lift I mean.

Ahh I just noticed update. I would still try and stay put if possible.

Option A includes stairs and no viable way to install a downstairs loo/bathroom (stairs are currently an issue)

Option B would allow a smaller one level property easier to maintain

Stairlift or stannah or similar wheelchair lift - there’s a few on the market & stay put

Move to a lesser area

It's two miles away, you can easily be back on nicer area for whatever you miss (cafes or such). You can probably keep the same GP if it is 2 miles and continue to be close to friends and family.

What make this area "lesser"? It's the UK, no area is entirely out of control or wildly dangerous? Just a bit grubbier?

Then you ease the financial burden and maintain links to family , GP etc.

www.stannahhomelifts.co.uk/our-products?infinity=ict2~net~gaw~ar~244906026666~kw~%2Bstannah%20%2Blift~mt~b~cmp~CD%20-%20Homelifts%20-%20Brand%20-%20Stannah%20-%20Exact&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6__D4NCq2QIVJjPTCh2ttgUSEAAYAiAAEgLk5vD_BwE

Honestly if option B is moving only 8-10miles away and the area is ok I think I’d do that , it’s hardly any distance and it is so much less of a worry being mortgage free .

Bear in mind you can (I think?) still claim contribution based ESA even after accessing 25% pension lump sum, but it is withdrawn £ for £ above a small regular pension payment level. Also check eligibility for PIP and if the well partner has to give up / cut down work this is also a gateway benefit for eg Carer's allowance.

www.grantsexpert.co.uk/grants-for-adapting-your-property-due-to-disability.html

What make this area "lesser"? It's the UK, no area is entirely out of control or wildly dangerous? Just a bit grubbier?

High crime, a lot of drugs, tethered horses on every bit of spare grass. ]

Yes, I was just about to say what *howabout" said. Also, check out things like water rates, you can get a reduced charge in some areas due to low income or disability. Get in touch with local social services, they can advise on adaptions and may even fund smaller adaptions like ramps, handrails etc,

I think I woud try hanging on where you are, you can always rethink if it's too difficult.

I certainly would stay put. Because moving is an unknown. But =staying you know what the problems are you will face. And also with downsizing the move might cost a lot more than you think and house might need work doing on it that wasn't immediately obvious when you moved. I agree with looking at available benefits again and at grants for making adaptations to your house.

A

Stairlift etc.

Is it possible to use an empty room for lodger/rented out storage even?