Given the choice, most seniors in Elkhart would prefer to age in place in their current homes for as long as possible. While that’s an admirable goal, seven out of ten will eventually require assistance to maintain their independence and quality of life. When that happens to your aging parents, your long-term care options include professional home care, assisted living, or moving them in with you. Read on to explore the pros and cons of different senior living options, including the growing trend of aging-in-place parents moving in with their adult children.
Aging in Place Challenges for Seniors in Elkhart
While most seniors want to live independently in the same community well into their golden years, that option may not be feasible as the effects of aging become more pronounced. Here are some of the more common aging-in-place challenges seniors face:
Decreased mobility and physical limitations
Cognitive decline
Difficulty managing activities of daily living (ADLs)
Financial constraints and limited resources
Losing their driving privileges and lack of reliable transportation
When these issues start impacting your aging parents, it can be a real game-changer for the entire family. Tough decisions must be made, including moving them into your or a sibling’s home.
Why Are More Aging Parents Moving in with Their Kids?
There has been a growing trend in recent years of seniors selling their homes and moving in with their adult children. More seniors than ever before are choosing this multigenerational living arrangement for reasons that include:
Emotional Connection: Aging parents may feel more emotionally attached to their adult children and grandchildren when living with them versus a senior living facility. This arrangement can also save couples with young children big bucks by having free babysitters in the household they can trust.
Financial Considerations: In today’s inflationary climate, moving in with adult children can help alleviate financial burdens for aging parents as they struggle to manage their monthly bills. Even if they contribute towards household bills, this option is more affordable than assisted living or a nursing home.
Around-the-Clock Support: Elderly parents may require progressively more support with ADLs and medical care, which fellow members of the household can conveniently and affordably provide.
Familiar Surroundings: Moving in with adult children allows elderly parents to age in place with dignity, surrounded by familiar faces and fond memories.
Senior Living Options for Aging Parents: Which One Should We Choose?
You have several options when deciding on the best living arrangement for mom or dad. These are some of the more popular ones:
Doing Nothing
Some adult children decide to do nothing and allow aging parents to continue living independently. However, this may not be feasible if mom or dad’s care needs change and become too difficult for the other partner to manage. For reasons that include pride and privacy, many seniors conceal their poor health from loved ones until it’s too late.
Assisted Living
For a monthly fee, assisted living facilities provide a level of care and support for seniors who can no longer live independently but do not require around-the-clock medical care. While this is a viable option for some seniors, assisted living can be cost-prohibitive and may require residents to move away from their loved ones and communities.
Home Care
This senior care option allows aging parents to receive personalized care and support in the comfort of their homes. Home care services include personal care, medication management, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and companionship. Compared to assisted living, the cons of professional in-home care include a need for more structure and access to social activities. However, home care can be expensive when one or both parties require around-the-clock care.
Moving Them In
Moving aging parents in with a family member can provide them with the care and support they need, allowing them to remain connected to their family and community. However, the daily rigors of being a sandwich-generation caregiver can take a significant toll on an individual’s health and well-being.
How to Discuss Senior Living Options with Aging Parents
When discussing senior living options with aging parents, you must approach the conversation with sensitivity and empathy. Here are some tips on how to have “the talk” about senior living options with mom and dad:
Start Early
It’s never too early to discuss senior living options with aging parents. Without putting them on the spot, it is important to maintain an open and honest dialogue about their needs and preferences.
Listen Carefully
Respectfully listen to mom and dad’s concerns and fears about moving into a new living environment. Validate their feelings and reassure them that their needs will be met.
Don’t Exclude Them
Always include mom or dad in the decision-making process, whether your siblings are involved or not. Respecting your parents’ autonomy and involving them in discussions about their care is essential.
Seek Professional Guidance
If you are still having trouble deciding which senior living option is best for your aging parents, consider seeking guidance from a professional, such as a geriatric care manager or social worker.
Senior Home Care: A Great Choice for Aging-in-Place Parents
When mom and dad choose to stay put, here’s how a reputable home care provider can help your family honor their wishes:
Personalized Care
Home care allows aging parents to receive personalized care and support tailored to their unique needs and preferences. Caregivers can assist with daily activities, medication management, and other tasks to help clients maintain their autonomy and independence.
Comfort and Familiarity
Aging parents can remain in the comfort of their homes, surrounded by familiar faces and fond memories. Being in a familiar environment can help minimize feelings of loneliness and isolation and promote a sense of security and stability.
Economical
Home care can be a cost-effective alternative to a senior living facility for those on a fixed budget. With home care, aging parents can receive the care and support they need without the high costs associated with assisted living or nursing home care.
Companionship
Home care services include companionship and socialization, which can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Caregivers can engage aging parents in meaningful activities and provide emotional support to enhance their overall well-being.
Peace of Mind
Home care offers peace of mind for adult children concerned about their loved ones’ health and well-being. Knowing their parents are receiving quality care and support in their homes can provide families reassurance and peace of mind.
Final Thoughts About Moving Aging Parents In
Whether to move aging parents in with you is a decision that requires careful consideration and planning. As a viable senior care alternative, professional home care offers mom and dad the best of both worlds, empowering them to navigate the complexities that accompany aging in the comfortable, private, and familiar surroundings of home. Whichever option you choose, the goal is to provide aging parents with the care and support they need to age in place with dignity and respect as their golden years progress!
Dignified Home Care Services for Aging Parents in Elkhart
Honoring your aging in place parents’ wishes can be challenging with everything else on your plate. When you need assistance, contact Senior1Care in Elkhart. As a fully licensed and accredited home care provider, our highly trained professionals can provide the dignified care and support your loved ones deserve. While serving as an extended family in the home, our compassionate caregivers can perform various duties, including Personal Care, Companionship, Meal Preparation, Medication Reminders, Recovery Care, and Light Housekeeping.
While assisting clients in Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, South Bend, and Elkhart, our agency’s focus is maintaining their quality of life, dignity, self-esteem, and independence. For your added convenience, all our home care services can be individually personalized into an affordable package when and where you need them! Please visit www.senior1care.com to discover how we help seniors achieve their aging in place dreams or schedule a FREE consultation for your aging parents.
The post A Place for Mom and Dad: Evaluating the Option to Move Aging Parents In appeared first on Senior1Care.
