Five Ways to Prepare for an Elderly Relative Who’s Coming to Live with You

Are you preparing your home to welcome your elderly relatives?  When you parents or grandparents age, they may need additional help in their everyday life.  As a caregiver, you may make the decision to have them come live in your home to make it easier on everyone and to truly give them everything they need to stay safe and healthy.  Depending on the space and size of your home, you may need to make some adjustments to prepare for their arrival.  These are a few ways that you can prepare your home for an elderly relative that is coming to live with you.

Consider Their Emotions

Whenever your loved ones move out of their own home, they may be dealing with many emotions.  Although they might be excited to move in with you, they will miss the home they’ve lived in for many years.  This can cause them to be sad, which may make them depressed when they are preparing for the move.  Be there to listen and support them through this difficult transition.

Set Up Their Space

You likely already have a fully functioning home that will need to be rearranged to make room for your senior relative.  Take the time to make them comfortable and welcome by setting up their space before the move.  If you need to make any renovations, take care of these before they get settled in.  This may involve installing safety rails on their bathtub or renovating your home to include a first-floor bedroom so they can avoid stairs.

Declutter Your Home

Living with a senior will pose challenges that you need to consider in your everyday life.  Become accustomed to removing any clutter and keeping walkways clear of your belongings.  If you used to pile laundry in the hallways or leave your groceries in your foyer, you should practice life without these habits.  By removing clutter, you help your loved ones avoid trip and fall injuries, which can result in injury.

Plan Their Caregiving Needs

You will likely be moving your relatives into your home so that it is easier to give them all the care and attention they need to stay healthy.  You may also just want to be closer to them in case of an emergency.  Take the time to plan for their caregiving needs by making sure that you can take care of them all.  If you need to hire home health care in Philadelphia, PA, do your research and choose the help you need.

Talk to the Whole Family

Before moving in your relatives, talk about these changes with the entire family.  Talk about how this will affect your lifestyle moving forward, and be sure that everyone is welcoming and ready for your new house guest.

These are a few ways that you can prepare your home for an elderly relative that is coming to live with you.  When you are prepared for this transition, it will go much smoother, and your relatives will feel welcome in their new space.  Contact Empire Home Health Care in Philadelphia, PA to hear about our caregiving services today.