Realities of Moving in With Your Adult Children
According to the Pew Research Center, at this juncture in time, nearly 60 million Americans reside in households of two or more generations of adults. This is a record-breaking 18 percent of the U.S. population. This includes senior adults moving in with their adult children. It also includes situations where senior adults move in with their children, and those same children have their adult offspring moving back home.
Benefits of Moving in With Your Adult Children
When it comes to moving, there are many factors to consider. One of the most important decisions you’ll make is whether to move in with your adult children. There are many benefits of doing so, including the following:
- You’ll have a place to call home. When you move in with your children, you’ll have a place to call home. This can be especially helpful if you’re older and no longer have the energy to maintain a home.
- You’ll have help with expenses. When you live with your children, they may help you with some of your expenses, such as rent or groceries. This can be helpful if you’re on a fixed income or struggling to meet ends.
- You’ll have company. Living alone can be lonely, but when you live with your children, you’ll always have someone to talk to and spend time with. This can be especially helpful if you’re older and don’t have many friends or family nearby.
- You’ll get help with household tasks. If you live with your children, they may help you with household tasks such as cleaning and laundry. This can help if you cannot do these things alone.
Negative Aspects of Moving in With Your Adult Children
The decision to move in with your adult children can be a difficult one. On the one hand, it can offer comfort and familiarity in an otherwise uncertain world. On the other hand, there are several potential negative aspects to consider before making this decision.
The biggest downside to moving in with your adult children is that it can create an unhealthy dependence on them. You may start to rely on them for things you once did yourself, such as cooking, cleaning, and laundry. This can lead to tension and resentment on their part, as they may feel they are being taken for granted.
Another potential issue is that living with adult children can disrupt their lives and routines. If they have their own family and busy lives, sharing their home with you may be more of a burden than a help. This can cause conflict and frustration between you and your adult children.
Finally, it’s worth noting that there is no guarantee that living with your adult children will be a permanent solution. Circumstances may change, and you may eventually have to move out again. This can be difficult for you and your children if it happens unexpectedly.
Basic Advice for Living With Your Adult Children
You need to remember a few pieces of basic advice before you and an adult child decide to live together. These pieces of advice include:
- Hold your tongue. Don’t take a “my house, my rules” attitude – because you are living in your child’s home. Hold off on advising without being asked.
- Roll with the punches. You can’t get or stay stuck in your ways. Particularly in a home with a grandchild, things constantly change. You need to be able to adapt.
- Give your kids space. When you move into the home of one of your children, they will need their own space. Sometimes it’s wise to make yourself scarce.
- Don’t just love your children but like them as well. In some ways, love is not enough to successfully live together as adults with your adult children. You need to like them genuinely. Some basic advice: Move in together only if you and your kids’ lifestyles, politics, personalities, and values are generally aligned.
When Should Seniors Move Out of Their Children’s Homes?
When it comes to senior parents moving out of their children’s homes, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on the unique situation and relationship of the family members involved.
In some cases, it may be best for the seniors to move out and live independently, especially if they are experiencing health problems or tension between them and their children. In other cases, it may be better for the seniors to stay in the family home, with the children providing care and assistance as needed.
Ultimately, it is up to the seniors and their children to decide what is best for them. If you are a senior considering moving out of your child’s home, talk to them about your thoughts and feelings and see what they think. If you are a child with aging parents living with you, listen to their concerns and try to accommodate them as much as possible.
When Should a Senior Consider Assisted Living?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as the decision of when to move into assisted living will vary depending on the individual. However, some general guidelines can help seniors and their families decide.
Generally, assisted living is recommended for seniors who can no longer live safely on their own. This may be due to mobility problems, dementia, or frailty. Assisted living may be a good option if a senior has difficulty with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, or cooking. This includes a situation in which a senior has been living with an adult child, and a determination is made that this arrangement is not working as well as desired or intended.
Another consideration is whether or not the senior has friends or family nearby who can help out. If not, assisted living may be a better choice, as it offers companionship and social activities. Finally, budget is also a factor to consider; assisted living can be expensive, but options are available for those who need financial assistance.
Ultimately, the decision of when to move into assisted living should be made after discussing the individual’s needs and concerns with their doctor and family.
In summary, multigenerational households can be great experiences for all involved. With that said, these living arrangements will most likely succeed when all parties are proverbial “same page.”