Many families face the significant decision of relocating an aging parent. Whether driven by safety, health, or convenience concerns, moving a parent out of their home involves weighing the emotional and practical implications. Can you move an aging parent without limiting their privacy and independence? What burdens does moving an aging parent cause to family caregivers, and how can those be overcome? This blog explores many aspects of relocating an aging parent and highlights some options for families to consider.
Pros of Relocating an Aging Parent
Improved Safety and Accessibility
Moving an aging parent to a more suitable living environment, such as an assisted living facility or a family member’s home, often ensures better safety. These spaces are designed to minimize fall risks and other hazards, with features like grab bars, stairlifts, and emergency response systems. A senior living alone also risks isolation, making safe ambulation or transfers from a bed or chair to standing more difficult. In contrast, a facility or family home is a space where the senior has more support and assistance with ambulation and other daily tasks.
Increased Social Interaction
In some cases, relocation can reduce feelings of isolation. For example, assisted living communities allow seniors to engage in group activities, make friends, and maintain an active social life. Relocating an aging parent to a family home might make it easier for seniors to spend time with their adult children and grandchildren. They can also join family members outside the home, see the community and attend church services or other social activities.
Access to Immediate Medical Care
Relocating an aging parent to a facility or closer to family may offer quicker access to medical care. Staff at senior living communities are trained to handle emergencies, providing families with peace of mind. When a senior lives with family members, other individuals in the home can quickly spot concerns and help the senior access the care they need without delay.
Cons of Relocating an Aging Parent
Emotional Impact of Relocating an Aging Parent
Leaving a home filled with memories can be emotionally distressing for aging parents. The transition might cause feelings of loss, sadness, or anxiety, impacting their overall well-being. A move is especially emotionally taxing on a senior who has lived there for many years, perhaps raising a family there. This is most evident in seniors who are experiencing cognitive decline or who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Disruption of Routine
Relocation often disrupts established routines, which can be particularly challenging for seniors with dementia or cognitive decline. Familiarity and consistency are vital for their mental health. Without proper support from in-home care providers and medical professionals, the relocation can cause further cognitive declines and a quicker progression through the stages of dementia.
Financial Costs of Relocating an Aging Parent
The cost of assisted living facilities or retrofitting a family home to accommodate an elderly parent can be substantial. In a private home, the family might need to add a ramp, install shower bars, retrofit the hallways or kitchen or add a bedroom or bathroom when relocating an aging parent. There’s also the cost of the move itself to consider. Hiring movers, packing up a home, paying for any necessary storage, and physically relocating an aging parent can be significant expenses. These costs add up quickly and may strain a family’s budget.
The Benefits of Keeping a Parent in Their Home with In-Home Care
An alternative to relocating an aging parent is to keep them at home and hire professional support. Hiring professional in-home care offers many families a balanced solution, peace of mind and security for their loved one. Here’s why:
Maintaining Independence and Comfort
Aging in place allows seniors to remain in a familiar environment, surrounded by cherished possessions and memories. Familiar support systems, such as friends or social circles, are also nearby. This comfort can enhance their emotional well-being and sense of independence. Familiarity and remaining socially connected to friends also benefit seniors with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s Research Association states, “our brains remain more active when we stay socially engaged. On the cellular level, it encourages new connections in the brain, leading to activity stimulation. That also hints at social interaction as one of the ways to help prevent cognitive decline.”
Personalized Care
In-home caregivers provide tailored support based on seniors’ specific needs while respecting their schedules and routines. Care plans can be customized to match individual preferences, whether it’s help with activities of daily living, medication reminders, or companionship. In contrast, relocating an aging parent can mean adjusting routines to fit the facility’s schedules or the family’s routine. These changes can frustrate seniors and even cause them to resent the family or the move.
Enhanced Safety
Professional caregivers are trained to identify and mitigate potential hazards in the home, such as cluttered walkways or inadequate lighting. They can also assist with mobility and other physical needs, reducing the risk of falls. Having a professional caregiver evaluate the senior’s current living situation and help the family address any necessary tasks or modifications may be a cost-effective solution versus relocating an aging parent.
Cost-Effective Option Vs. Relocating an Aging Parent
In-home care can be a more affordable alternative to the high costs of assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Families can choose the level of care needed, from a few hours a day to 24/7 support, aligning care with their budget. As the seniors’ needs change, care can also increase, including home health, palliative care, or hospice support.
Flexibility
In-home care offers flexibility for families. It allows adult children to stay involved in their parent’s care without taking on the full responsibility, ensuring a balance between caregiving and other commitments. For family members who live nearby, in-home care offers respite support so they can spend time away from their loved ones working or socializing while knowing their aging parents are cared for, safe, and supported.
Making the Right Choice
Deciding whether to relocate an aging parent or keep them in their home with in-home care depends on various factors, including health needs, financial considerations, and personal preferences. Consulting with healthcare professionals, social workers, or elder care specialists can provide valuable insights to help families make informed decisions.
Ultimately, the goal is to prioritize the well-being and happiness of the family and the aging parent while ensuring that their safety and care needs are met. For many, combining the familiarity of home with the support of professional caregivers offers the best of both worlds.
Salus is here to help you navigate options and make the best choice for your family. Contact us anytime to schedule a consultation.
