Between 2000 and 2007, the number of parents moving back in with their grown children has ballooned 67% to 3.6 million people. (That’s more than the population of St. Louis) And adding merit to this trend, an AARP poll of baby boomers found that 25 percent expect their parents to move in with them and are looking forward to it!
While they might be looking forward to the move, the truth is adding another adult to your home’s family dynamic can add tension and possibly even physical obstacles for your aging parent.
If your parent is moving in, you need to think of making adjustments for the two sides of the equation -your other house members and your parent. Many homeowners choose to remodel the basement or other parts of the house, so that their spouse or children have space to relax. That way you and your family can continue your lifestyle without making any changes. Your kids can have friends over and won’t disturb your new house guest.
And mom or dad usually are not simply moving because they want to be closer – they often are in need of the extra supervision. To help aging parents we often install items like extra lighting, shower rails and easy to reach cabinets. We also help homeowners with improvements to remove steps and make common household tasks easier.
The most important aspect of moving your parents back in is allowing them to keep their independence and dignity. Up to this point they have always been the provider in the home and have had the master bedroom. Obviously you are not going to give up your room to your parents, but instead would like to give them a guest bedroom they can feel comfortable in. With a renovation we can help expand a guest bedroom, build a new space, do an addition, or make changes to a room to their tastes.
At RIGGS we have experience dealing with custom renovations to fit all types of living situations. We often do aging in place renovations and our aging in place specialist (CAPS)can answer any questions you might have before your parent moves back in. Give us a call today!
