Merging Households
The merging of households between adult children and their aging parents is becoming more and more common in the United States as housing and care costs rise. This return to multigenerational cohabiting families may meet many needs for those involved. A senior parent is less likely to combat feelings of isolation. They may provide care for grandchildren. Bonds between adult children and their parents may feel strengthened. The addition of aging parents to a home may be a seamless transition for some, but is often a complicated process which requires extensive planning.
Call Sheilah! assists all parties involved as they plan for this blending of households. Our first step is to assess the over all space as well as the specific space the senior parent will occupy. In our partnership with a licensed and certified Occupational Therapist, we can develop a home safety and accessibility plan. This full team will survey a home for safety hazards and make recommendations for improvement, safety and mobility, and then help execute the plan. These suggestions may include installing handrails, ramps, medical alert alarms, safety equipment, transition aides, and more.
We then progress to help decide what will fit in the space provided.
What do the senior parents need?
What can they not comfortably live without?
What holds the most special memories for them?
What do the members of the overall household need?
Most importantly: will all of these items fit?
With this list of essentials, we move on to the next phase. How will the remainder be divided? We gather for a family meeting and set out to address the needs of family members living outside of the blended home. With a comprehensive list of what the aging parent can not bring with them to their new home, each family member must choose what they would like from what is left.
For what remains, Call Sheilah! will use our decluttering and downsizing services to arrange auctions, estate sales, and donations.
Once it has been decided what will be brought to the blended home, we carefully pack, hire professional movers, unpack and organize those belongings, leaving you with little to do but enjoy your newly merged household.
There are many factors to consider before the decision to merge households with an aging parent is made. Identifying the level of care a parent may need, how much care one is able to give, and how that care will be shared with other family members should be assessed. Estate planning, financial impact, and care expenses should also be discussed with an elder law attorney.
If you are ready to begin the process of merging households, Call Sheilah! at 518.937.7908, or click the button below to schedule a consultation.
