Should You Convince Your Elderly Parents to Move Home?

As your parents age, there's a good chance that they would rather continue aging in their own home. However, this may not be a realistic option. For example, renovating a home to make it more accessible may not be affordable. Caring for your elderly parents might also be a major concern if they can't do some basic things for themselves. In case your parents are living in an assisted senior home, should you convince them to come home? Here is what you should know. 

What Kind of Care Will Your Aging Parent Need at Home? 

Before you decide to care for your elderly parents at home, consider their mental and physical health. Are they relatively healthy and independent, requiring minimal care? If so, moving them in may allow a chance to bond more with other family members. However, sometimes health issues or a crisis are a catalyst for the transition. One of the main duties of a caregiver is assessing medical needs. This could mean keeping track of medical appointments, managing medication and chronic conditions, or assessing pain levels.

Before caring for your elderly parents at home, talk with their doctor and other health professionals. Ask yourself if you'll be able to manage your parents' chronic illnesses or physical limitations.

Factors to Consider 

Here are some of the factors to consider before deciding whether to convince your elderly parents to move home: 

• Be realistic about what you can and can't do. Realize, too, that the level of assistance needed will most likely increase over time.
• Know your limits. If the person needs help with bathing, dressing, or going to the bathroom, are you comfortable helping? If he's incontinent and the idea of changing a diaper makes you uncomfortable, you may need to find an in-home aide. 
• Consider your schedule. If you have a full-time job and young kids at home, consider the impact of taking in someone who needs a lot of assistance. If, for example, he needs help getting to the bathroom several times every night, you could soon be suffering from a major case of sleep deprivation.

Preparing for the Talk 

Nobody wants to feel like they have lost their autonomy. Don't start by telling your parents what they "must" do. Depending on your family dynamic, your elderly parents may not even want to hear anything contrary to their beliefs from their children. To prepare for talking with your parents about moving, offer to help with tasks that may enlighten you about their living conditions or finances. 

For example, ask if you can supervise their kitchen remodel or help them pay bills. Once you have a clearer picture of your parents' financial health, you are in a better position to discuss their living options in black and white.

How to Convince Your Elderly Parents to Move 

Whether young or old, persuading people of something that's challenging for them is something that's best done over time. If possible, don't expect to convince an elderly parent they'll need to move during the course of a single conversation. It's best to warm someone up to the idea long before it's necessary, allowing them time to form expectations and process the truth. 

Figuring out how to move a parent with dementia can be particularly challenging because you might have less time to address these concerns. Even for seniors who are sound of mind, nobody likes to feel like their agency is being taken. That's why many attempts to force elderly parents to move are usually destined to fail.

At Senior Helpers, we've been caring for seniors throughout the Charlotte Area since 2008. We offer tailored home care services ranging from companion care for seniors who need daily assistance to in-depth specialized care for those with Alzheimer's, Dementia, Parkinson's, and other chronic diseases. Contact us to learn more.