Making a decision to move your loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) into your home is one of the biggest decisions you will make as a caregiver. There are several important considerations you should contemplate before making the final decision.
Some of the factors that may be considered include: changes in the relationship, life style and family adjustment issues, role changes and more. Often, the emotions that accompany all of these changes can be very difficult to cope with.
Being ready to make the move means that you need to be emotionally prepared for many changes. On a more practical level, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is there enough space in your home for everyone to be comfortable?
- Is your home safe or will modifications need to be made?
- Are there areas than need to be restricted-perhaps a safety gate should be installed.
- Can you provide an area for your loved one that is personalized with some of his/her belongings?
- What additional expenses will your household incur? Will insurance cover any of these added costs?
- Does your family and spouse support the decision to move your loved one in?
When you move your loved one with AD into your home, you and your family members will become the primary caregivers who will need to be available for any and all needs your loved one may have in the future. Of course, hiring help and asking other family members to lend a hand whenever possible is advised. Therefore, it’s a good idea to consult with siblings and other family members in advance to ensure you’ll have the support of others in your family when you need it. Be aware that providing full time care to your loved one in your home will add stress to your daily life. Encouraging your family to support you and get involved can really help minimize caregiver stress overall. Reaching out to a support group to ask questions and get support from other family caregivers is advised, as well.
The more you know in advance about what to expect before moving your loved one in, the better prepared you’ll be. To learn more about Alzheimer’s, CLICK HERE to sign up for AlzU’s 25 topic Alzheimer’s caregivers’ course.
