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Moving in With Family: Issues to
Consider
By Helen Hunter, ACSW, CMSW
Too often, the decision to move into
a family member’s home is made when a crisis develops or
as a last resort. Sudden illness or injury strikes and
the family is left without a plan for long-term care for
their loved one. Experts suggest that all families
discuss the possibility of the need for long-term care,
and the possibility of family members living together as
a solution to the daily care situation. The following
are some items to discuss with all members of the family
before making such a move.
Accessibility
Is the home “elder friendly”? It is necessary to review
the setup of the home, in terms of stairs, additional
bedrooms, bathrooms and general safety issues. If home
modifications are needed, they should be completed prior
to the move.
Care
How much care will the relative require? Daytime
supervision, medication management, meal preparation and
entertainment are just a few examples of important
issues to consider. Assess the level of assistance
needed now and in the foreseeable future. If the
relative is in poor health, who will be in charge of
providing the care? Will other family members share in
the caregiving duties? Establish basic rules and a care
routine to help prevent conflicts and caregiver burnout.
Emotions
How do family members get along with each other? How are
conflicts dealt with? All families have their share of
problems and each family handles them differently. The
loss of independence is difficult for anyone and
reactions or behavior change is to be expected. It is
important to be able to talk about how everyone is
feeling and encourage the relative to continue with a
life of their own. Communication skills, including
active listening, are necessary in handling and
resolving conflicts successfully.
Finances
How will the change in household expenses be handled? An
increase in family size usually means an increase in
family expenses. Will the relative contribute? Are there
other family members who can help with financial
support?
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