COVID-19 cases in assisted living facilities and nursing homes have been devastating, as the virus has been spreading like wildfire through our most vulnerable population living in such close quarters together. As a result, many families are transferring their elderly parents home, which raises a number of considerations to think through.
Stay Home Care, the experts in elder care in Nashville and the surrounding areas, is here to help with the information you need to ensure a smooth transition to living with aging parents. A good place to begin is by answering these questions:
- Is there enough room in your home for the senior to have a separate space for privacy?
- How will the move affect other family members? For example, will one of your children need to give up his/her bedroom and share with a brother or sister?
- If you are working outside of the home, who will care for your loved one while you’re gone?
- How will vacations be managed? Will the older loved one be able to travel with you, or is there a plan you can implement for respite care?
- Are there any existing (or past) unresolved issues with your loved one that may impact your ability to provide the best level of care?
- Might there be a problem related to issues such as pets, smoking, or drinking, either on the part of your elderly loved one or someone else in your home?
- Do any home modifications need to be made, like adding in grab bars and railings, additional lighting, wheelchair accessibility?
Then, set up a family meeting to include everyone living in the home, but also with your siblings and other family members who may want to be involved in the senior’s care. It’s important to give everyone the opportunity to voice any concerns openly and honestly. After all, moving your older loved one into your home is a life-changing event for everyone in the family.
Once your family is in agreement and on board with the decision, talk with the older adult about the idea. Determine whether the senior has been thriving in the social atmosphere of facility living and if he or she is receptive to the idea of moving away. Reassure the senior that the whole family is delighted with having him or her come to your home to live, and address any concerns your loved one expresses.
Most importantly, understand that you’re not alone in your new care responsibilities! Stay Home Care is always on hand as your trusted partner in care, providing as much or as little professional home care assistance as needed with tasks such as personal hygiene, household chores, meals, errands, transportation, friendly companionship, and more.
Contact us at 615-964-7726 for a free in-home assessment to learn more about our trusted Nashville, TN elder care. For a list of all of the communities where we provide care, please visit our Locations Served page.