Your aging parents might still be in good health but what about the loneliness they face in a home deprived of any close relatives to take care of them? Such thoughts serve as a reminder that they took care of you and that it is now your time to tend to them. And when sending them to some senior health care facility is unimaginable, you realize the only other option is moving them in with you. Such arrangement is highly recommended as it also brings forth several benefits such as babysitting or helping around the house. But don’t rush into it yet. Here are some factors that you should first address to ensure a smooth transition.
Prepare the parent psychologically
First, discuss with them about the intended move out. If they don’t embrace the idea immediately, sell it to them highlighting what they stand to gain from your company. Show them you genuinely care about them and the special attachment they have to their home. Give them time to come to terms with the idea and when they eventually come through; allow them more time to plan for the move-out. You also have to prepare them for what to expect at your home such as a reduced privacy.
Prepare your family
Work and other engagements have set most people wandering far from their parents. This means the parents, grandchildren and the spouse rarely see one another and thus their relations may be strange. Yet the last thing your parents need is being torn from their home and perched onto an unfriendly environment. You, therefore, have to discuss with your children and spouse of your parent’s scheduled move in and arrive at a decision as a family. This gives them time to adjust to the situation and learn basic elder care tips they are to accord your parent.
How elder-friendly is your home care
Now that all parties are in consensus about the move in evaluate how elder friendly your home remains. If in a storied home and they can’t handle the stairs, consider allocating the room on the ground floor or installing electric stair lifts to ease their movements around the house. Additionally, install a ramp on the doorstep and if possible adjust bathroom door sizes, especially if they use a walker or wheelchair. Remember your home care, however, personalized it may be should also allow them some privacy; especially a private bedroom.
Embrace lifestyle changes that accommodate senior health care
If your family is on board with the move in, the introduction of healthy eldercare lifestyle changes will be easy. For instance, in line with healthy elder care, your family will have to try out new recipes. Your teens will have to adapt to low music and elder friendly programs as well as forego some vacations and leisure.
Bottom line
Moving a parent in with you for more personalized home care doesn’t have to be a big deal. You only have to bring everyone on board by involving them in decision making. You just have to prepare your family, parents as well as inform your siblings of your major decision and the transition will go on incident free.
