As families across the US seek alternatives to the traditional assisted living model, aging parents are moving in with their adult children more than ever before. Living together has become a viable solution for many families, with most adjusting to their new multigenerational households just fine. But what happens when it doesn’t seem to be working out? If you currently find yourself in this situation, here’s how to coexist with an elderly parent while living under the same roof.
Why Seniors Move in with Their Children
Parents aged 65+ often move in with their adult children for these reasons:
COVID Restrictions
As senior living communities place more COVID restrictions on visitors, some families have decided to move their parents in with them instead. Concerns about diminished care due to staff shortages and poor infection control are also driving these decisions, along with rising long-term care costs.
Caregiver Fatigue
For many family caregivers, the added burden of providing care from a distance is too much. Having the care recipient at home allows them to manage their duties more efficiently.
More Economical
Financial constraints sometimes make it more feasible for multigenerational families to live under the same roof while saving money and sharing living expenses.
Disadvantages of Multigenerational Living
No matter how well you plan, sharing a home with an aging parent can be stressful for reasons like:
Less Privacy
More people living together means each will have less personal space than before. Sharing a residence with others may be more difficult for grandparents and young adults who are used to living alone.
More Noise
Older adults unaccustomed to young children may experience difficulties adjusting to the additional noise.
Family Tensions
Negative feelings can resurface when living together, including those related to finances, parenting differences, and household responsibilities.
Additional Housework
More people living under the same roof also means more food to prepare, dishes to wash, and loads of laundry to do. Not equally delegating those household chores can cause added tension.
Home modifications
As the aging process continues, costly home modifications like a walk-in tub, stairlift, or wider doorways may be needed to keep seniors safe and comfortable.
Increasing Care Demands
Chronic health conditions like dementia or heart disease may require specialized care that household members are not qualified to provide.
When Things Don’t Go as Planned
It may be tempting to ask your aging parent to leave when things don’t go according to plan. Although that’s an option, you agreed to let them move in for a reason. Instead of kicking them out, try to find a solution by calmly sitting down as a group and setting rules for things like privacy, noise, chores, and household bills.
As the primary caregiver, you can also take these steps to re-establish peace and harmony within the household:
Focus on self-care
To ensure that your health doesn’t suffer while taking care of Mom or Dad, exercise regularly, eat a well-balanced diet, get plenty of sleep, and seek additional ways to reduce stress.
Communicate openly
Ask your children, spouse, or partner how they are doing and if they need anything further to adjust to the new household arrangement. It’s easy to get so wrapped up in the business of life that you forget to check on the emotional and physical health of all your loved ones.
Take breaks
It’s also essential for you to schedule breaks at least once a month without feeling guilty. Notify everyone that on certain days you will be out of the house for a specified length of time. Plan a weekend getaway with your spouse or partner so you can focus on your relationship. What you do with your free time is entirely up to you.
If you can’t find someone trustworthy to fill in, another option is hiring a professional respite caregiver from a reputable home care provider. After all, you’ve earned it!
Affordable In-Home Respite Care for Manatee County Families
Caring for an aging parent who’s living with you can sometimes be overwhelming. At First In Care, our compassionate caregivers can step in and provide your seniors with the attention and support they deserve. While serving as an extended family in your loved one’s home, our highly trained professionals understand what’s required to maintain a client’s quality of life, along with their dignity and self-esteem.
In addition to respite care uniquely tailored to your family’s needs, First In Care also provides in-home support for other daily living activities like personal hygiene, light housework, medication reminders, companionship, and transportation. Our senior caregiving services are affordable, flexible, and always delivered in a seamless package that restores your peace of mind. To learn more now about our private home health and concierge services in Bradenton and Manatee County, Florida, please visit www.firstincare.com.
