How to Get Ready to Move an Elderly Parent Into Your Home

For many middle-aged children, moving a parent into the home is the right decision. Of course, there are other choices, such as assisted living and long-term care, but many children begin to consider moving their parent(s) in as they begin to age or have medical difficulties. However, there are a few things to consider first before looking after elderly parents in your home, particularly if you live with others, including your spouse or partner.

Read on to learn what to consider when moving a parent into your home and modifications that must be made before the move is complete.

A New Living Situation is About More Than Your Parents

There are many things to ponder before deciding to have aging parents living with you. The feelings and the daily routines of everyone in the home and the aging parent(s) is important. For potential caregivers, will you be able to handle the stress of caring for elderly parents? Think about factors such as:

• How will it affect your spouse, your siblings, and anyone living with you?
• Is it affordable?
• How much remodeling is needed?
• How are the relationships between you and your parents and your spouse?
• Will your parent(s) be contributing financially to the household?
• How will the move affect your routines and privacy?

Additionally, there are some questions the parents should ask themselves before the move:

• Am I upset about being dependent?
• Will the move take me away from preferred friends and activities?
• Do I like the company of my child?
• Am I financially able to contribute to remodeling or day-to-day household expenses?

Before your parents move in with you, it’s important to sit down and have a discussion about these matters to ensure everyone’s comfort with the move. Your siblings’ feelings should be considered before moving a parent into your home.

Before moving a parent into your home, you must also consider their current and potential medical needs. As people age, they may need assistance with daily living (ADL), which can be quite time-consuming. Will you need to hire a home health aide for assistance?

When you are caring for parents in your home, you should also be comfortable keeping track of medical appointments, driving your parents to their appointments, being in charge of medications, and being able to assess pain levels.

Preparing to Move a Parent Into Your Home

Before caring for your parents at home, you must think about—and implement—modifications for safety reasons. How much modification is needed depends upon your parents’ medical needs. For any elderly person, the bathroom should be modified. Grab bars and slip prevention are very important.

Will your parent have their own space, such as a guest room or adjoining live-in apartment? Or will things need to be rearranged because there isn’t enough space? Privacy is indeed an important factor when moving a parent into your home.

Seniors moving in with family can be challenging because of mobility needs. If your parent is in a wheelchair, are your door entrances wide enough? Do you have a wheelchair installed? Your parent may have other mobility needs.

For example, if you have stairs in your home, you may want to consider a stairlift or a power lift chair recliner if your parent has trouble getting up and down.

Other changes may be necessary before moving a parent into your home, such as lowered counters, replacing door knobs with door handles, and addressing other safety concerns.

For more information about moving a parent into your home, or to hear more about life-changing mobility products, such as wheelchair ramps and stair lifts, contact Williams Lift Co. today. We want both patients and their caregivers to live their best lives possible.