Are You Prepared to Live with a Senior
Living with someone else is never easy, and adding a senior to your household who has had a lifetime of independence is not an easy process – on you or on them. For some, living together is just too close for comfort; they just get along better when seeing each other only occasionally; others, manage to get on quite well even when in close quarters. Before jumping into any decisions, seniors and their families should all consider if they’re prepared to make sacrifices and changes to their lifestyles. Specific questions that seniors should ask include the following:
• What will my role be in paying for household expenses? Does it sound affordable and reasonable based on the living arrangements determined?
• What specific responsibilities will I have? Will I be expected to contribute to household chores or care for any of the grandchildren in the home? If so, how often and when?
• Will I be provided with my own space to maintain my independence? Will I have a room, or a bathroom that’s off limits to the rest of the family?
• What will become of my assets? How will we handle the sale of my home and finances I have in my bank accounts?
• Can I bring my pets to the home?
• Will changes be made to areas of the home to provide for my comfort and safety?
• Will I be a part of family decisions, such as vacations, travel, and hosting of events in the home? Or will the other family members make these decisions?
• Am I able to invite my friends to the home and entertain? What if I want to use the space without the grandchildren?
• What arrangements will be made if I need care assistance? Will someone in the home be able to help, or will we hire senior home care?
Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.
