Caring For Elders - 9 Important Questions to Ask Before Moving Your Elder Into Your Home
Posted on Fri, Dec 03, 2010 @ 07:37 AM
By Hal Robertson
Moving an elderly parent or other relative into your home is a major event. While it may seem like a great idea initially, this isn't something that should be entered into lightly. After all, the last thing you'd want to have happen is for the arrangement to fail and have to move your elder out of your home and into a new location.
You'll want to think long and hard before making the final commitment. Asking yourself the following nine questions should go a long way in easing your mind in terms of the decision you ultimately make.
1. First and foremost - is your home big enough to support another person?
2. Will there be any structural changes needed to your home?
In order to ensure privacy, safety and your elder's mobility, will you need to perform any construction to your home? Check with a carpenter who is versed in remodeling to get an estimate for any upgrades your home will need. In many cases, it may simply be a matter of adding some hand rails, installing ramps or widening doorways for a wheel chair. Be sure you can afford any remodeling that needs to be done prior to making a commitment to your elder about moving in with you.
3. Do you know about all of your elder's medical issues?
Are you aware of what changes may take place in the future regarding these issues?
4. Have all of your immediate family members signed off on this?
If you expect the new living arrangement to work out over the long term, you first must hear out all family members and work through any potential issues family members have before your elder moves in.
5. Have you spoken to family members about potential problems?
After you've successfully navigated #4 above, you will want to make sure that you have discussed any potential problems that your elder may have with your family members. Having everyone made fully aware of any potential problems can go a long way in preventing trouble down the road.
6. Do you have a plan in place to resolve problems?
Conducting a regular weekly meeting (or more often in the beginning) is a great way to take care of any issues that may arise. Letting smaller issues fester usually means bigger problems down the road. A regular meeting will go a long way to ensuring this doesn't happen.
7. Do all of your family members understand the sacrifices they will have to make?
These sacrifices could include more chores, less personal space, (perhaps even giving up a room) less privacy, less TV watching or normal routines turned completely upside down.
8. Will anyone's personal habits be an issue for others?
Will your family dog be an issue for your elder? How about your son that comes in at 2AM on weekends? Or, how about your dad's cigar smoking? Get these issues resolved ahead of time. Doing so will go a long way to ensuring family harmony - or at least as much harmony as possible!
9. How will an elder moving in effect your job?
Be sure to completely investigate part time options with your current employer if they become necessary. Also, look into job sharing, flextime and family leave policies as well.