disabled mom needs to move closer - how?

[NewDayNewBeginnings]

My DM has recently had a fall, and as she is getting on, and more unable to do things herself, its become the time for her to move closer to me. She currently lives about an hours drive away. The thing is, I have no idea how to go about this. She is currently renting (paid directly from benefits) a bungalow through a housing association. I have no idea where to start as to finding her a place near me. Ive looked at my local council, but seems there is high demand and little available. Can anyone help?

Have you looked at sheltered accommodation near you?

These days they don’t have wardens so it’s more just a collection of small singled bedroom bungalows or flats that are all together. Might be worth a look. SH’s Aunt was in council house and we were looking into it for her to move here and there seemed to be more options/ availability.

Why wouldn’t you get a care needs assessment done and see if she qualifies for a carer to come by hers once, twice a day? How does your mum feel about being uprooted? Her life is there, not an hour away by you.

Look at renting extra care schemes as well as sheltered accommodation. Residents in these schemes can generally increase their care as they need to so they can stay in one place for much longer and often never need to move again.

https://www.independentage.org/get-advice/your-home-and-housing/types-of-housing/extra-care-housing

https://housingcare.org/elderly-uk-assisted-living-extra-care-housing

I have discussed it with her and she is happy to move closer to me. I already spend a day a week at hers doing jobs she cannot do. She is very independent and hates the idea of being in a care home type housing.

Has she got a social worker who can support with this?

No social worker or anything like that, she hates strangers in her home so I tend to do everything for her, just no idea where to even start here

Honestly sheltered accommodation is not like a care home housing.

PIL were in a little close of around 10 bungalows, all with parking spaces and lawns out front.
Here there is a row of bungalows opposite a row of privately owned terrace and semis a block of modern apartments and a four block of bungalows.

Just have a Google of sheltered accommodation and your area and see what comes up, you may be surprised.

First you need to know what it is that you’re looking for.

What does you mum actually want? If her priority is to stay in her own home (wherever that is) then she’s going to need to be realistic that at some point most people as they get older need some help and that you’re unlikely to be able to provide that.

Sheltered accommodation might have a warden but they don’t actually provide any care. There may be pull calls in each room but they don’t actually do anything unless you pull them!

Pull cords not calls

Ask her current housing association about home swap scheme and housing application to suitable housing in your area. The forms are online and will guide you towards the types of accommodation suitable for her needs. A GP or OT letter about her physical needs will help too.