If you have a parent who’s starting to lose their ability to perform tasks for themselves, then you have probably thought about bringing them to live with you. This is a very noble thing to do, but you should know that there are some downsides to doing so, and there are other options out there. Your family dynamic will change, and it might not be for the best. Even your parents may feel better in another setting. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of living with an aging parent.
Pro – You’ll Always have a Close Eye on Them
The biggest benefit of having your older parents live with you is that you’ll have full control over their care and will be aware of their whereabouts. You won’t have to worry about them getting lost if they’re starting to suffer from cognitive issues and will be able to help them directly if they have conditions that prevent them from doing everyday tasks.
Con – You’ll Have Less Freedom
With that being said, you will essentially become your parents’ caregiver and you might not be able to be there 24/7 for them if you have to work and don’t have other people in the house who can look after them during the day. This is something you can deal with if the parent in question is largely autonomous, but not when they have debilitating chronic conditions or are starting to deal with memory loss.
If your parents are showing signs of dementia or memory loss, then you’ll have no choice but to consider nursing homes or assisted living facilities that offer memory care. You might have trouble finding those in smaller towns and rural areas, but you’ll have no trouble finding them in large cities. If you live in Central Missouri, for instance, then we would suggest that you check out these St Louis memory care facilities.
Pro – You’ll Build Tighter Bonds and Prevent Isolation
Isolation is a major issue for seniors in this country. It has been estimated that about 24% of seniors in this country are socially isolated and about 43% of people over the age of 60 reported that they felt bouts of loneliness from time to time.
One of the best ways to breathe new life into an aging parent is to bring them closer to the family. Some grandparents live for their grandchildren and bringing your parents home will allow them to see much more of them. This will not only make him happy, but it could literally add years to their lives and even make them physically healthier.
Con – They Might Not Like it
You do have to consider the possibility that your parent will not like living with you. They might be frustrated by the lack of privacy or feel like you’re babysitting them. They also may not want to be a nuisance and withdraw even more as a result. So, think about this and try to gauge how enthusiastic they are about the idea before you start the process of moving them.
These are things you’ll need to think about before you bring a senior parent home to live with you permanently. It could be the best move you’ve ever made or a very bad one, so take the time to look at both sides of the coin and have them involved in the decision as much as possible.
