There are many care options for senior citizens to choose from, but for some, it feels right to invite your elderly parent or relative to stay with you. It’s a way for you to show your love and appreciation for them and perhaps even soothe their concerns if they are uncomfortable with moving into a residential care home. While it’s a very kind and honorable thing to invite an elderly relative to come and live with you, it’s also a big commitment and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Below are some ways you can prepare for bringing an elderly relative to live with you and to make sure that this is the best option.
Home Modifications
You might need to make some modifications to your property to accommodate the needs of your elderly relative, particularly if they have issues with their mobility. Things like support bars in bathrooms, staircases, and exterior steps are useful.
If they use a wheelchair, they will need ramps so they can get in and out of your home with ease. You might also want to look into this automatic door opener for the disabled as this can make it easier for them to get outside as well. Walk-in showers and baths are other additions to your home that could be useful or having a stairlift put in.
Make Sure They Have Private Space
They might be moving in with you for some extra help, but they’re still an adult who needs their space and privacy. Of course, you will need to provide a bedroom for them, but where possible, see what other living space you can offer. Is there a spare room that can be used as their living room, for example?
If you can provide them with this additional living space, not only will it help them have more independence, but it will be good for you to feel as though you have your separate living space as well.
Can You Afford to Bring Them into Your Home?
Senior care homes are expensive, and perhaps this is why you have decided to explore this option instead. However, even inviting an elderly relative to live with you full-time will raise your expenses as there will be another mouth to feed and more energy used during the day. They might be able to pay towards these expenses, but this is something you need to discuss before they move in to see if it is a viable option for you both.
What About Healthcare?
At the moment, your senior relative might not require a lot of hands-on care or medication management, but this might change in the years to come. You need to be mindful of how much care you can provide yourself and when you will need to bring in professionals to make sure that your relative is getting the quality of care that they need and deserve. It can also put a lot of pressure on you if their health declines, including emotional strain. It’s important to consider these things so you can plan for them, as your relative might eventually have to move to a care home.
If you want to invite an elderly relative to come and live with you, make sure you’re thinking about all of the above before you do so that everyone stays comfortable and happy.
