If you are concerned about your parent’s safety and security in their own home or about their future health needs, you may be considering having them move in with you.
Having them move in with you could solve a lot of problems and make life more convenient for both parties. For example, it will be easier to check on them and you wouldn’t have to worry about them getting hurt and no one knowing about it for hours. It would also save you a lot of time, as you wouldn’t have to travel backwards and forwards to see them.
The proceeds from the sale of their home could help towards financing the cost of any renovations needed to your house to cater for their needs or adding a flatlet to accommodate them.
On the downside, your spouse and children could have concerns that you may be overlooking some sensitive issues. As close as you are to your parents, living in such close proximity to each other could result in some stressful situations.
Have you discussed this with your family and is it what they really want? Is your house big enough to allow them and your parents the privacy you all need? How will the move impact your current family dynamics and lifestyle? How will it impact your parents’ lifestyle and their independence? Will they be able to visit or receive friends in private? What will they do during the day while you are at work or busy with other interests that occupy your time?
Not all parents want to move in with their adult children and live according to their rules. It could also be a lonely existence, as they watch the family’s activities and have nothing specific to occupy their hands and minds. Most retired persons would prefer to maintain their independence and own lifestyle. As people age, many also don’t want to become a burden. It’s therefore important not to get upset with your parents if they decline your offer to move into your home.
Having a parent move in with you is a huge undertaking. As such, you really do need to have open and honest discussions before deciding to go ahead.
Another solution, that could make both you and your parents happy, is for them to move into a retirement village community. Living in such a community often opens up new opportunities to enjoy life, such as developing new interests or practising old hobbies, making new friends, participating in social activities, and enjoying a lock-up-and-go lifestyle knowing everything will be taken care of and be safe while they are away. The burden of ongoing maintenance regular lawnmowing is also someone else’s worry.
It is important to choose a retirement village that will allow care at home and where frail care is available, should the need arise. Another essential is that the village employs a nursing sister for preventative healthcare checks and can work closely with residents’ doctors to monitor health concerns. When these health services are enhanced by a village social worker, it ensures that residents’ needs are addressed holistically. In such a village, your parents can maintain their independence for as long as possible and you can rest assured that they are well taken care of when you are not there.
Thus, there are many advantages of living in a retirement community and often the lifestyle and support services afford greater well-being than living with adult children.
Either way, there’s a lot to consider and it may be worthwhile talking to one of Rand Aid’s staff about the benefits of a Rand Aid retirement village and how it may be to the advantage of your parents to join one of our communities.
If you would like to make an appointment, send an email to info@randaid.co.za or call one of our villages directly. The details are on our website. Visit www.randaid.co.za
