It’s a well-known fact that in order for seniors to stay healthy their choice of living arrangement can have a major impact on their overall well-being. This is among the main reasons why many adult children will move senior parents into their homes and it may be a choice you are currently contemplating as well.
But as you consider your options for senior care in Bethlehem, PA, and increasing your responsibility as a caregiver for one or even both of your parents, it’s very important to weigh the many pros and cons that come with this type of decision. You will need to consider how this new phase will affect your life and the lives of other members of the family who live in the same house.
You’re no doubt aware of the many financial, medical, and emotional concerns that factor into this move and you must take each into account before coming to an ultimate solution. With that said, let’s examine the pros and cons of moving your senior parents into your home.
Financial Considerations
No adult child wants to prevent their elderly parent from moving in with them due to cost. But it’s something you do need to take into account here and while there are both pros and cons in this department, it’s only fair that you sit down and do a full assessment of the expenses that will be incurred.
On the pro side, moving one or both of your parents into your home can be cost-effective when compared to the expenses of placing your parents into a nursing home or assisted living facility, which can cost thousands of dollars annually. But while this potential savings can be very attractive, the con side of this arrangement could see you spending a substantial amount of money on other expenses such as food, medications, an increase in the use of your utilities around the home, as well as other incidental monetary necessities that can (and will) eventually come up.
Medical Challenges
The pro side of this living arrangement is that it works for both you and your senior parents if they are mostly healthy with little to no ongoing medical conditions or maladies. The time necessary to devote to your parents’ care could be increased if they are ill. The con side of this arrangement is that it could be a serious strain on your relationships with your friends and even place an undue burden on others who live in the household.
Should you be thinking about moving your parents in with you and one or both require increased levels of care or even round the clock attention, you may want to consider hiring some form of help. Whether it’s a live-in situation or a home caregiver who relieves you of your responsibilities for a few hours a week, this may be essential for helping you maintain the peace within your family dynamic, allow you to get work done at your job, and contribute to your overall peace of mind.
However, you will need to also consider the costs of this type of caregiver and a cost assessment comparison between this form of care and moving your parents into a care facility should be performed and analyzed.
