When Your Mother Moves In
An increasing number of adults, 11 million in all, are taking care of an older person in their home. And that number will likely rise sharply over the next few decades as the population ages. Certainly the emotional and financial advantages of opening your home to a parent can be great. You won’t have to stress about whether they are taking proper care of themselves - you’ll be able to see for yourself and help as needed. And if your mom or dad becomes frail or chronically ill, neither one of you will have to pay the $30,000 or so a year that the average assisted-living facility costs. But if you do nothing more to get ready for your parental roomie than put clean sheets on the bed in the guest room, you run the risk of jeopardizing your parents’ physical safety. The prep steps range from minor remodeling projects (such as installing handrails or brighter lighting) to major renovations (like building a separate apartment), with costs from a few hundred dollars to much more than a hundred thousand.
- The Layout Of Your Home An unused basement or attic space is the traditional place to add an extra bed and bathroom. But before taking that route, check whether you can expand your square footage with a first-floor addition. Either way, plan for extra storage space. Older people don’t like to leave familiar things behind. This is often where a lot of tension comes in.
- Your Parents’ Health Right now Mom and Dad may prefer a separate apartment. But in a few years their health could change dramatically, and cooking or climbing stairs might become impossible. That’s why adding a bedroom and bath on the first floor of your home is usually the best way to go for a long-term arrangement.
- Budgeting Adding a bed and bath will cost at least $60,000 to $150,000 in most suburban communities. A very basic basement or attic renovation may set you back as little as $50,000, although you’ll likely spend six figures on an extensive project. Installing an elevator can cost from $40,000 to $75,000 or more, but you can add solid banisters for a few hundred dollars or a stair lift for a few thousand.
- When To Buy The Premium Falls are the No. 1 cause of injury among the elderly, and most of them occur in the bathroom. The best solution is to spend $50 to $300 to install grab bars in the bath and shower. Check that the label says they meet the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines for safety. Use adhesive safety strips on the bottom of the tub or shower floor instead of plastic mats, which can slide easily, and use nylon mats with nonskid backing on the floors.
- Eliminate entryway barriers. At the very least, you’ll need to get rid of steps and curbs that can be especially troublesome in winter weather. You’ll pay $1,500 each to make doorways wide enough to fit a wheelchair or walker. Look into installing doors with swing-clear hinges, which cost about $75 and can add an extra inch or two of space.
