As your parents or elderly relatives get older, it might start to seem like a good idea to have them come to live in your home with your family. That certainly can be a good solution in some instances, but it’s not always the ideal outcome for your elderly relative that you might think it’ll be. We’re going to talk today about the instances in which it can actually be the wrong move. So read on and find out more.
When it Causes Divides in the Family
If there are divides in your family about whether this is the right thing to do or not, you should try to be fair and discuss things openly. You want this change to be something that everyone can agree on in one way or another. And if that’s not the case, it might be best to find another arrangement that everyone will be content with.
When You’re Too Busy or Not Around a Lot of the Time
If your family member is in need of care and attention throughout the day and you’re simply too busy to provide that, you should think about whether that makes it a bad idea for them to move in. Care facilities that provide round-the-clock care as and when it’s needed might suit them better. Or you could hire a carer to come into the home if you can afford to do that.
When Your Home’s Layout is Simply Not Suitable
It’s important to make sure that your home’s layout is able to accommodate your relative in all of the necessary ways. If there’s no way for them to have a bedroom downstairs and they can’t use the stairs, for example, that would suggest that the layout is simply not appropriate. If that’s the case or something similar, it’s probably better to look at alternative options.
When They Have Complex and Long Term Care Needs
If your relative has complex care needs, you’ll have to be honest with yourself about whether you actually have the resources necessary to fulfill those care needs in your home. There are long term care facilities available that might do a better job of providing them with what they need, and that’s what really matters most in the end.
When It’s Not Really What They Want
Perhaps most importantly, you need to make sure that taking care of your elderly relative in your home is something that they actually want to happen. After all, if they don’t want it, it’s not really something that you should force them to do. You want the whole process to be something that they have a say in and feel comfortable with from start to finish.
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to reconsider the idea of having your parent or elderly relative live with you. That’s not to see that it’s always the wrong thing to do, but you should try to weigh up the pros and cons fairly before reaching a decision.
When would you think taking care of your elderly relative in your home is the wrong move? Let me know in the comments below!
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