Your dad is getting older, and you spend a lot of time worrying about him being alone. You’ve been talking to your brother lately, and you’re both starting to think it’s best if he sells or rents out his house and your dad moves in with you.

Before you take this step, it’s important to look at the pros and cons. It may not be as perfect a solution as you first think.

How Much Space Do You Have?

How much room do you have? If you have a spare bedroom, is it on the main floor or is he going to have to navigate at least one flight of stairs? Is the bathroom on the same floor as the bedroom he’ll be sleeping in?

He’s going to be in a new home, and it’s going to require him to adjust to the new layout. If he’s walking up and down the stairs in the middle of the night to get to a bathroom, he could fall and become seriously injured.

If you only have one full bathroom, is it going to lead to conflict? Your dad is used to having a bathroom to himself. He isn’t quick. If he’s in the bathroom when your kids are trying to get ready for school, what happens if they’re late?

Who Lives at Home?

Do you still have children at home? Adjusting to a grandparent moving in can be difficult. If he is likely to try to parent them, not only will you find it frustrating, but your children might be defensive, and it can fray the relationship they have with him.

You’ll have to set firm ground rules with everyone. Your dad has to follow those rules as to who is able to discipline children, and they have to respect having him around and move on if he does say something. He’s used to setting the rules, so it can be difficult for him to sit back and ignore things that he disagrees with.

What Is Your Work Schedule?

Do you work from the home or outside the home? If he interrupts you during the day, which is likely, is that going to cause friction? If you have to leave the home, is he okay on his own all day, or should someone be with him?

Is It What He Wants?

If you still feel that it’s best to have your dad move in with you, ask him what he thinks. You might take comfort in having him close to you, but he might not want to leave his home.

In-home care is a good compromise. He has the help he needs while he ages at home, and you have peace of mind that he’s not alone all day. Talk to an in-home care specialist about home care services that improve your dad’s quality of life.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional In-Home Care in Belmont, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care. Call today: (415) 795-2203

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Evan Loevner

CEO at Aviva In-Home Care

As a former hospital administrator, I launched Aviva with the goal of having a more focused, direct impact on the delivery of care than I could ever accomplish within a hospital setting. For me, the joy of running an organization like Aviva In-Home Care is having the ability to positively improve the lives of individuals needing customized care. As a passionate Bay Area resident, I know that many local seniors can benefit from new approaches to in-home care, that will bring them more connection to the community, and provide families with a greater sense of comfort that their loved one is indeed matched with an ideal caregiver.

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