re: Encouraging grandparents to move closer to grandkids or simplify. Anyone ever done this?

Yes we have done so it took a while...and are still working on another.

I successfully moved my parents within the same zipcode (they were several hours away) when my wife was pregnant with our first kid.

Same situation. Borderline hoarder. I couldn't keep up with their house issues already. Both were retired.

It's still a big PITA, but they were able to help watch their grandkids vs daycare. They were closer to medical. My dad had a stroke, was institutionalized half paralyzed and eventually died a few years later. Because of their proximity, I was able to visit him several times a week. That was pretty much all he had to look forward to. It was a bitch to deal with, but it would have been infinitely worse if they were hours away.

It gave us a great deal to think about. We do not want to be in this state, but my mom is alive and really the main anchor here aside from my job. She's also on a teacher retirement, and I think moving her would be a nightmare and not sure how her health insurance would function. (parish retirement with BCBS of LA for many years)

It took my mother in law injuring herself before she listened and moved close. She fell and broke her kneecap and was trying to walk on it instead of going to the hospital. We moved her in while she recouped and then sold her on the idea of staying close to us.

Having seen it first-hand in my family, there's no substitute for being in close proximity to your aging parents. It's a shite part of life. We've done the family unit a disservice by scattering everyone. My brother lives across the country and is totally oblivious to what efforts it has taken to care for my aging parent(s).

If we're still in Louisiana (god I hope not) by the time my kids finish high-school, my wife and I plan to move close to wherever they end up. We're encouraging them to vacate this state. I'm a big believer in them being somewhat free-range even in elementary, so I have no desire to meddle in their lives. I just want us to be close for whenever they need us.

Unfortunately, we did not have to relocate as my kids and grandkids are all in Baton Rouge. I've told my son though that I'd happily move wherever should he want to relocate somewhere with more opportunity.

I'm dealing with it now. When they offer to give us things, we take whatever it is. Mostly we discard what they give us. That's the only way to get them to give up this crap they deam valuable. When I visit, I make sure their trash can is full everytime it goes to the curb. Not hoarders, but have a ton of crap. They resist going to a retirement community because there are rules there and they won't get rid of the junk. Lol. They have health issues that are beyond our capabilities. We are now in agreement that whatever happens, happens. Insanity

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I just don't see how they can stay in the house they are in, it is massive and pointless.

Anyone ever dealt with this with success?

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No, but I’m about to go through it. My wife and I are 60, and we are almost finished building a house that is massive and pointless. I’ll send this thread to my kids to start them thinking on it.

My father in law has 8 storage until across 3 cities. They store everything from random clothes and furniture to a 3 ct diamond lost in one once and a complete original metal train set from the 40s that actually blows steam.

I dread the time when it needs to be sorted through.

No, but I’m dreading it.

ETA: we don’t even have kids yet and my mom recently started asking me about jobs back home, nevermind that I’m in a much better professional situation here.