Things To Consider Before Moving An Elderly Relative Into Your Family Home
Moving your loved one into your family home has lots of benefits. It relieves loneliness, gives them extra help with less need for carers, and it gives you lots of opportunities to spend time with them and bond. However, it is not without its drawbacks, and there are serious things you need to consider before committing.
The other option might be a nursing home, although they can have a bad reputation because, unfortunately, abuse happens in nursing homes. On the other hand, they can be a great opportunity for your loved one to receive professional care and to be able to socialize with other people their age.
Can you meet their care needs?
The first thing you need to consider is whether you can meet their care needs. If they can live reasonably independently and it will have minimal disruption to you, then it could be great you have them in your home. However, if they are having severe health problems, then you might want to reconsider. It could add a lot of stress to you and your family. You also need to consider how their needs might change in the future and what the plan will be if their health deteriorates.
Know your limits; if they require help with daily tasks, consider what you can do for them. You might move them into your home but still have carers visit to help with things like washing and dressing.
What is your relationship like?
Consider your past relationship and how well you get on together. You do not want to be living together if you sometimes struggle to get along. Also, consider their relationship with anyone else who lives in the house.
Is your home accommodating?
Consider if you are going to have to make any adjustments in your home for it to be safe for them. For example, can they climb stairs? Do they need support bars in the shower? Consider the price of any renovations.
Budget
Having someone move in can be expensive if they are not contributing. You may want to ask for money from them to pay for things like food. You should discuss this with them first to avoid any problematic conversations down the line.
Is everyone happy with them moving in?
Consider everyone else you have living at your home and involve them in the decision-making process. If you have any children, consider how it will affect them, especially if your loved one has a neurodegenerative condition such as Alzheimer’s. As their condition worsens, it may put a lot of stress onto people in the house.
What happens if it doesn’t work?
Be upfront from the very beginning. There are many reasons why it might not work out how you want it to. Have a plan in place in case it doesn’t work so that everyone understands. Be open and honest with your loved one from the beginning, so you are both in a place of understanding.
