I've had an aloe on my windowsill for about five years now, but over the last year it's been looking kind of droopy. I used to water it once a week, but maybe that's too often? And should I move it further away from the window in the summer?
Once a week is definitely too much for aloe. I used to make that same mistake when I was just getting into plants. Aloe is a succulent, it stores water in its leaves, so it needs way less watering than we usually think. In summer water it at most once every two weeks, and honestly just check the soil - if it's still moist a couple centimeters deep, wait a few more days. In winter you can basically water it once a month or even less. The wilted look is most likely from overwatering - the roots can start to rot and the leaves lose their firmness.
As for light - it's the opposite actually, in summer aloe needs maximum sun, it doesn't need to be far from the window. If the leaves start getting pale or stretching out, that's a sign of not enough light. Also check the drainage in your pot - there has to be a hole so water doesn't sit there. You need special soil for succulents or cacti, with sand and perlite, not regular all-purpose soil.
One more thing - repotting in fresh soil can help if the plant's been in the same dirt for a while. Over five years the soil could've gotten compacted and soured. Try cutting back on watering, make sure you have good drainage and repot it in the right soil - it should bounce back.
Once a week is definitely too much, aloe is a succulent and loves drought way more than excess moisture, especially in summer water it max once every two weeks or even less if the soil is already wet. The wilted look is probably from overwatering, try drying out the soil properly and switch to watering it rarely. Keep it on the windowsill by the window - aloe loves light and only appreciates direct sun, well only in the peak of July-August you can shade it a bit if the leaves start to brown, but usually that's not a big deal. I've got aloe growing in full sun at my dacha for like 8 years now and it's doing great, the main thing is just don't overwater it.
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