Should you move your mom or dad into your home?

2. IS YOUR FAMILY READY TO MAKE A PLAN? Talking about changing their living situation isn’t easy. But if you want your loved one to approach this change with a positive attitude, they will

need to feel they are making a deliberate choice, says Mary Kay Buysse, co-executive director of the National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers. How to approach family

talks: LIST YOUR GOALS. Talk about your concerns for your loved one’s safety and well-being. Let your loved one talk about how they feel. BE CLEAR ABOUT THE NEEDS YOU ANTICIPATE. Find out

what your siblings are willing to contribute. You may need help with chores, meals, grocery and prescription pickup. CONSIDER A MEDIATOR. Acknowledging that your parent requires help and

will likely need more in the future can be difficult for all. It may be helpful to bring in someone from outside such as a minister, social worker or one of your loved one’s closest friends.

An elder mediator or a family therapist who specializes in geriatric issues are other options. TALK TO A SENIOR MOVE MANAGER. These professionals not only organize moves but walk your loved

one through both the practical and emotional hurdles that come with relocating. 3. CAN YOUR HOUSE ACCOMMODATE YOUR LOVED ONE’S NEEDS? “The number one question you have to ask is, ‘Is this

logistically possible with the physical space I have?’” Unroe says. Some accommodations, can be as simple as buying a shower chair. But other accommodations, such as ramps or staircase

lifts, may be more complex, and expensive. And how would you divide the living space? Some families are able to join households by adding an addition or building an ADU (accessory dwelling

unit) on their property. How to assess modifications: GET EXPERT ADVICE. A certified aging-in-place (CAPS) contractor, which you can find through the National Association of Home Builders,

or an occupational therapist can help plan your space and price out solutions. AARP has a HomeFit program with information about modifying your home. CONSIDER COSTS. If your home needs major

renovations, can you afford to shoulder the expense of adapting the space? If the cost is beyond your means, can your parents or siblings pitch in? You may qualify for state and Medicare

programs which can help defray costs. 4. HOW WILL EVERYDAY EXPENSES BE HANDLED? Think not only about how you will handle any retrofits done to your home, but how everyday expenses will be

handled. Three out of four caregivers have out-of-pocket expenses, spending on average $7,242 on caregiving activities according to AARP’s Out-of-Pocket Costs survey.