Is your home “age and disability friendly?”
There are many barriers that may make it difficult to move a loved one into your home or to keep them in your home. Currently, your loved one may not be able to manage stairs or may be able to only manage a few stairs. What if they can’t manage the number of stairs in your home or must go up and down stairs multiple times to access the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and go outside? Maryland homes tend to be two or three story homes, which may limit the ability to get around in your home. From the outside of your home, can they enter without using stairs? If not, will you need to install a ramp outside if they are in a wheelchair? If they can’t walk up the stairs to their bedroom and bathroom, will you need to install a stairlift? If not, can they live on the main floor? While stairs can be dangerous, simple items in your home such as scatter rugs, placement of furniture, clutter, or step up and downs into rooms, may cause them to fall and injure themselves.
Can you safely leave your loved one alone?
When you’re unable to care for your loved one full-time because of work, school, family or other commitments, can you leave them alone? If not, are you able to hire someone to be with them during the time you aren’t home? If they go outside alone, can they find their way back to your home? Can they use the stove and other appliances safely? Can they shower safely?
Does your loved one have enough social activities to keep them engaged?
People “do better” when they have companionship, social activities, and mental stimulation. If your loved one moves into your house and leaves their community, can you replace their old community connection to the outside world? You may want to consider an adult day care, senior center, or friendly visitor to assist you. While making this transition, accept that it is going to be almost impossible to change your loved one’s personality. If they did not like interacting with people prior to living with you, they probably will not want to attend a senior center or adult day care for social activities.
Deciding if your home is age-friendly as well as if your parent can be left home alone safely and how to keep them engaged are just a few of the important factors to consider before making your decision. Before a loved one moves into your home, proper planning can save your family time, energy, and money. For assistance on assessing the “age and disability friendliness” and safety of your home , you may want to consult an expert who can visit and renovate your home. There is no right answer to whether your parent should move into your home or not. Every family and situation is different. Contact Amy Griboff at 410-740-3177 or agriboff@pklaw.com to schedule an appointment to discuss how best to plan and pay for your loved one’s long term care needs and get their essential estate planning documents in place including their will and financial and healthcare powers of attorney.
Amy Griboff is a Member in PK Law’s Wealth Preservation Group and has over 20 years of experience in estate planning, elder law, Medicaid planning, and estate administration. Ms. Griboff focuses her estate planning services on what is best for her clients. She advises clients and their families on how to prepare for and pay for aging-in-place or downsizing to independent living, assisted living, or a nursing home. Based on the specific wishes and needs of her clients, she designs customized wills, trusts, health care powers of attorney, and financial powers of attorney, and seeks guardianships in court when health care and financial decisions need to be made, but the necessary legal documents are not in place to designate someone to do so.
