We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. This helps support what we do and in no way costs you a thing. We are also NOT medical professionals - so any ideas we share or suggest have been based off our own research and experiences as caregivers. ALWAYS consult with your own medical team.
People will inevitably get old if life doesn’t decide otherwise before then. As such, certain things will happen as the elderly transition from one phase of their lives to the next. Of course, it is not the easiest thing as many people have lived their lives a certain way and then now have restrictions on what they can do, eat, or even where they can go. While they may not be ready for a nursing home, or have funds available for a senior community, moving them into your own home may be the best option. When Moving in an Aging Parent, there are many things to consider and prepare for.
But, as the days roll in, children are the ones who have to make most of the decisions, and one of these includes having your parents move in with you. Most children prefer if their parents don’t live alone and whether they take them in or put them in a shelter, as long as they have someone to look after them, it is okay.
When Moving in an Aging Parent
However, there are so many things to consider when you plan to move them in with you. You may need to:
* Make Your Home Handicap-proof
Most older adults have to move around with assistance, so having your home altered to suit their needs is the best. There are multiple ways to handicap-proof your home, such as:
Installing stairs or wall rails.
Going up the stairs may be a struggle for them, so adding rails will give them ease of movement and more stability in going up and down. Also, wall rails will help to provide balance as they move around the house.
Shower bars.
This tip is, by far, one of the most important features to implement as they tend to be scared to use the shower in fear of falling. The shower grab bars provide some level of security in knowing they have something to hold on to in case they may slip.
Get elevated toilet seats.
Bending can be a major issue for most older adults, and as such, reducing the chances of this is best. Elevated toilet seats will enable them to access bathroom facilities without having any fears easily.
Being careful with throw rugs.
We understand that you want to have the best indoor decor, but bear in mind, you now have an older person living with you. The rugs can be an issue if not careful as they can cause slippage and other dangerous actions. If you must have rugs, it is best to buy non-skid kinds.
* When Moving in an Aging Parent Incorporate their Their Items Where Possible
The best way you can get them to fit in comfortably is to have a few items they own around them like a piece of furniture or some other physical items. When they have access to some of their things around them, they will feel at home even though it is a new environment.
They will be able to settle in quicker and easier as they will sense that level of trust and comfort and knows how to handle what they are used to. Also, you can start by taking their bed (if possible) as well as a few other items like utensils, sheets, or even cushions. At their age, it will not be so easy to adjust to everything new and cause more issues in them not wanting to move in.
* Set Limited Rules, But With Caution
When Moving in an Aging Parent, this can be a tough issue to consider. After all, as their kid, it is hard to take on the role of the parent. You may want to set some rules with limits but ensure you don’t impose too much on your aging parents’ privacy for freedom. Bear in mind, they don’t usually sit well with being treated like children, so you want to consider their feelings as well.
Of course, everyone in the home will have new or adjusted rules to work efficiently with the permanent change now in effect. You can implement rules such as for your parents, such as:
- Being able to go out but with supervision.
- Friends may be allowed (senior citizen friends from the previous hometown), but some activities may be supervised.
- Someone will always be at home with them (even though they would prefer to stay home alone).
- No access to anything flammable (cooking not allowed, someone has to light the fireplace if needed, etc.)
Other occupants’ rules may include changing their schedules to accommodate the adjustments. They will be assigned certain roles like taking them out, assisting them with doing their various tasks, and more. Once again, bear in mind never to treat them like a child, they may get negative with such actions.
* When Moving in an Aging Parent Your Life Will Change
Before taking your parents in, you must ensure you do your relevant research and make the necessary preparations to accommodate them. When they come home, your life, in general, will change as your schedule will get altered, and your expenses will increase (rapidly in some cases).
Their diet may be different from yours, so you will have to increase the amount you spend on food each month. Also, the utilities will increase as they will have to use the air conditioning more often, the heater will have to be on as well, and other electrically-used appliances will be added to the monthly bills.
Depending on where you live, they may be further from their medical center, so that means more gas and potentially more medical expenses. To better manage these financial changes, you will have to rearrange your budget and, where possible, include the entire household budget to match the changes.
Consider too that your time will have to be spent more strictly. You may have to put off some of the yearly vacation plans until you settling in with the changes better.
If you are unable to accommodate them and you feel hiring help will be cheaper, you can let them stay home with the live-in assistance and visit while you can. It is no joke as their health and well-being will be completely in your hands, and the plans you make will impact them positively or negatively.
Also, you have to plan ahead of time so you can make the physical changes to accommodate, get public education on their potential illnesses, so you know what measures to take in handling them.
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