Caring For An Elderly Relative--Preparing Your Home

Has the time come? Does a parent, grandparent or other elderly relative need to move in with you? Is your home ready?



Before you even begin to pack mom or dad's belongings, you need to take a look at your house. It may need a bit of shaping up. When you move an elderly person into your home, there are already going to be some tricky issues.



You may encounter grief, rage, depression or sickness. You will have tons of paperwork and a lengthy adjustment period for all who are involved. Preparing your home before you get immersed in these other issues can save you time and worry later on.

First--Assess The Needs

Be reasonable here. Why is your relative moving in with you? If they have a physical handicap, but no mental problems, then you need to focus on suitable safety devices adapted to their specific needs. 


A parent with a vision impairment needs an obstacle-free floor, guide rails, good lighting, and items with large print. They probably don't require door locks and bed-alarms.


However, caring for a physically able relative who suffers from dementia may require special adaptions to the home. Safety measures may include the door locks and bed-alarms to prevent wandering, especially at night. 


You may also need to lock up medications, household cleaners and sharp instruments to prevent injuries.

Second--Assess Your Living Space

If your home has an upstairs, and the bedrooms are both above and below, someone may need to swap rooms. It is not always possible for an elderly person to travel up a staircase several times per day. 


If there are no downstairs bedrooms, you may have to get creative in converting another room temporarily into a bedroom. Even a person with Alzheimer's or dementia, who needs almost constant supervision, deserves privacy. 


At the very least, use curtains or something similar for a room divider until decent accommodations can be made.

Third--Assess Your Family 

This isn't a one-person job. This is a responsibility that everyone must take part in. Make sure that everyone is willing to do their share, even if it means picking up a few of your regular chores so that you can devote time to caregiving issues.



Be prepared to face some dissatisfaction and possibly some jealousy. Especially if someone has to sacrifice a bedroom or a few minutes of spare time. It is important to establish communication between you and your family. Their needs should always be met, but they should be willing to offer support.



If there is any chance that you will have to do most of the work alone, you might want to consider hiring some help for certain tasks. This can be particularly useful if your elderly relative is bedridden or exhibits aggressive behavior.

Be Ready

If you you know there is a possibility that you will be caring for an elderly relative in the future, take steps toward preparing yourself and your home now. With small changes implemented a little at a time, the transition may go smoother.