There comes a time when your elderly parents can’t live independently and require assistance. However, not everyone fancies the idea of living in a nursing home, and this is due to various reasons. Statistics indicate that approximately 80% of seniors can afford a nursing home for up to two years. On the other hand, some can afford it but don’t like staying in these facilities. If your parents fall into these categories, bringing them into your own home could be an option worth exploring further. However, this may require changes to your home and schedule. Fortunately, you can make it work with the help of some useful tips like these listed below.
Prepare them before the move
This is especially crucial since your parents may have spent most of their lives in their old residence. Therefore, you may experience some resistance from them. In this situation, you don’t want to lose your patience. Instead, empathize with them and find out the reason for their hesitation. Most times, elderly people don’t want to be a burden to people around them. That said, they may feel that they are bothering you and your family. Moreover, being assisted by someone after many years of independence may be a difficult pill for your parents to swallow.
Fortunately, you can alleviate their trepidations with the right steps. For instance, you can tell them how glad you are for them to live with you. Alternatively, you can discuss the benefits of this arrangement and discuss a compromise with them. It could be them helping around the house or contributing monthly money for the home’s upkeep. This can make them feel more useful, easing their fears.
Prepare your home to accommodate them
It is important to prepare your home to accommodate your elderly parents. Admittedly, their age makes them more prone to slips and falls, which may cause severe injuries or even death. Therefore, ensure your living space is hazard-free to minimize these risks. Fortunately, you can achieve this in various ways. If you live in a two-story building, offering them a room on the first floor is beneficial, eliminating the possibility of them tripping down the stairs. If they have to live on the second floor, consider installing a stairlift to aid their mobility.
It’s also worth noting that the bathroom is a high-risk zone for older people due to wet and slippery floors and bathtubs. You can ensure their safety by investing in grab bars, anti-slip mats, and the like. If you can afford it, create a walk-in bathroom for them. You might also want to install ramps when needed if they use a wheelchair. You should also ensure toys aren’t strewn across the floor and upgrade your lighting to illuminate darker areas. Putting sensors on doors and windows can also alert you to their movements, so keep this in mind.
Plan the move meticulously
Relocating to a new place can be stressful, making meticulous planning important. Indeed, there is so much to do, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and disoriented. Fortunately, you can avoid this by creating a moving checklist. It makes the process more organized, and you can also ensure each aspect is taken care of. You can begin the process by picking a suitable relocation date, so keep this in mind. While at it, you can make arrangements regarding your parents’ belongings. As a tip, sort through their items and determine which ones to take, throw away, or donate. However, don’t do this without their involvement to avoid giving out items they would want to keep.
Afterward, research and hire a credible moving company. Based on your budget, you can leverage their full moving services or consider moving container rental. It’s also important to notify key services like Social Security Administration, banks, credit card companies, and so on so that your parents’ address can be updated. You should also disconnect utilities like gas, electricity, internet, cable, water, garbage disposal, and the like.
Help them get settled in
The next step after moving is helping them get settled into your home. Fortunately, this is achievable with the right hacks. For starters, you can personalize their room with their favorite items. This can be paintings, artwork, picture frames, plants, and so on. You can also encourage them to participate in various social activities to further boost their independence. As a tip, allow their friends to visit as often as possible. Likewise, they can meet with their buddies for lunch, brunch, or other outing options.
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