Our parents are pillars in our lives who raised us with love, and while both the kids and parents gain independence at some point in their lives, there are cases wherein everyone ends up living under the same roof again.
The day may come when your parents may have to move in with you, which is usually because they are no longer capable of physically taking care of themselves. While it may be challenging to convince them to give up their independent lifestyle, it may be necessary for medical or safety reasons.
Having an elderly relative move in with you is a huge step that will impact the lives of everyone involved. It will drastically change your schedule and living conditions, so once you have convinced your parents that they will be better off living with you, there is a set of questions you need to ask yourself to make sure that you’re ready to take on this new responsibility.
Read on to discover the questions you need to ask yourself before your elderly parent moves in.
Do I Have The Time?
This is the first and foremost question that you should be asking yourself. Do you have the time or are you capable of making time for your elderly parent to move in with you?
Once they move in with you, you will be responsible for accompanying them to doctor’s appointments, outings, recreational activities, meetings with friends, and more. It is important to understand that your parents come with an entire lifestyle that you will have to adapt to. Aside from your own career, responsibilities towards your children and spouse, errands, household chores, and hobbies, you need to be fully prepared for adding another adult life into your daily routine. You will basically be assuming the role of a caregiver who needs to make sure that they are well taken care of and enjoying themselves.
Moreover being there for their medical needs, it is essential to remember that you just have to spend time with them as your mom and dad. That is the priceless gift that you can give them that will make them feel comfortable with moving in with you, your spouse, and your kids.
Do I Have The Resources And Facilities?
Caregiving is costly, so before you decide to have your elderly parents move in with you, you need to know if you can afford the lifestyle change.
Aside from being financially stable, you also have to ensure that your home is properly reinforced according to your ageing parents’ specific needs. For instance, you may need to install bars in the bathroom or lift chairs and ramps. Depending on their condition, you may need to remodel your house to ensure their safety.
Another resource that you need to take into account is the actual moving process. Your Next Steps specializes in senior moving services, so you won’t have to lift a finger when welcoming your senior relatives into your home. Moving day will be an absolute breeze!
Am I Ready For The Emotional Undertaking Of Elderly Parents Moving In?
Some elderly relatives would actually love to move in with you, especially if they have been struggling with loneliness. They get to spend time with you and their grandkids every day, so it’s a win for everyone!
On the other hand, some senior citizens may move in with you reluctantly. They may heavily disagree with you on many things because they could misunderstand your concern. In the event that random outbursts occur, you need to understand that they aren’t angry at you. Rather, they are frustrated with the situation. Everyone wants to stay fit and healthy in order to live life as we want to, take care of ourselves, and remain independent, so if your elderly parents seem to lash out at you sometimes, try to not take it personally. What matters is that they are safe under your care. They will eventually learn to like the situation as long as you show them that they can also live life to the fullest under your roof.
What Are Their Specific Caregiving Needs?
Why are your elderly parents moving in with you? Are they just lonely? Are they in need of companionship? Do you just miss having them around? Or do they suffer from physical or cognitive health conditions?
Before taking the plunge, you need to be well-informed and well-equipped to meet the caregiving needs of your senior relatives. Get an accurate picture of your ageing parents’ health status by consulting a doctor. Among other elements, you’ll need to track their medications, make sure they get the right exercise and nutrition, and make sure that they are happy.
Additionally, you can also seek help from specialists who can provide training, if necessary.
Will I Know If I Can Still Handle The Responsibility?
We love our parents, and that’s why we want to give them the best of everything. That’s the core reason why we ask them to move in with us during their senior years. However, it is important that you understand that caregiver burnout is a real thing. No matter how much you care about your elderly parents, spreading yourself too thin among all your daily responsibilities could take a toll on both you and your parents.
In the event that you feel that the responsibility becomes too much for you to handle, it may be best for you and your parents to resort to retirement home living.
Retirement homes are a wonderful alternative to your elderly parents moving in with you. There are great ones out there with highly competent nurses and caregivers who can ensure the proper health and safety of your loved ones. Additionally, this gives them an opportunity to enjoy independent living while interacting with other seniors within the community and exploring new hobbies.
Help Your Elderly Relatives Choose Their Next Steps Wisely
Taking your next steps into your golden senior years is a wonderful new experience. It’s a new chapter in life that offers new doors to vast opportunities. Help your seniors feel at ease and at home whether that’s in your house or at a qualified retirement home. It ultimately comes down to providing them with the right care and happiness.
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