Approximately 10,000 baby boomers retire every day. This means that the generation we have relied upon for normalcy for so long has now reached an age where they are not contributing to society in the same way.
In the coming years, many baby boomers will need increasing levels of care as they age and will be reliant upon their children for this care. Although it’s a difficult discussion to be had, the question of how best to care for your aging parents should be answered sooner rather than later.
If you’re questioning whether moving elderly parents into your home is the right decision, ask yourself these questions.
1. Do They Need Specialized Care?
You’ll need to be realistic about the situation. Do you have time to devote to constant care? Does your parent need constant supervision or specialized medical care?
If your aging parent has physical or mental needs that cannot be easily met at home, it may be better to consider another option that can provide more intensive care. Click here to see some options for in-home care.
2. Do You Have a Good Relationship?
Depending on the relationship you have with your parents, it may be easy to move them into your home. Or it may not be. Having a frank and honest discussion with your parents may make it all easier upfront.
Taking on aging parents may also cause strain among siblings that cannot or will not take your parents into their home. Make sure you discuss all of the options with all of the affected parties to avoid hurt feelings down the road.
3. Will Moving Into Your Home Have a Negative Effect on Your Parent’s Lifestyle?
Does moving your aging parents into your home take them away from other friends and family? Does it limit their social outings or force them to adapt to a new town?
While it may seem like the best option to have your parents close to you, it may be more beneficial for your parents to find a solution within their own community or neighborhood. You want to make sure that you are not isolating your aging parents in any way.
If isolation concerns you, try looking at assisted living in lincoln or similar in your area, or a residential community that provides medical care. This way, your loved one will have access to all the help that they require, as well as organized activities and amenities such as a chapel, movie theatre, and exercise facilities.
4. Is Your House Set-Up for an Elderly Resident?
If your home has a lot of stairs or doesn’t have wheelchair- or walker-accessible doorways, it may not be a good fit for your aging parent depending on their mobility. If the laundry room is three floors down and the bedrooms are up a tiny winding flight of stairs, the logistics may not work out.
Finding a way to make your home’s layout work for an aging parent is difficult, but not impossible. Consider turning a groundfloor office into their bedroom or installing a chairlift in your stairwell.
Moving Elderly Parents Into Your Home? Make Sure You Ask the Right Questions
If you’re considering moving elderly parents into your home, make sure you have considered all of the options and asked all of the questions. There is a lot that goes into making a good decision.
If you’re looking for more advice, tips, and tricks? Check out our Parenting articles!