Your parents spent at least 18 years of their lives caring for you, and now that they are older, it is your chance to care for them. Having your parents move in with you is a very kind, generous, and living thing to do. You can be sure that they receive the care and treatment they need, and that they spend their final years in a comfortable environment where they feel loved.
However, there is also a burdensome component to adding "caring for parents" to your daily task list. While they're in your home, you will have to make a sustained effort to maintain life balance between caring for them, working, and maintaining your own social life. Here are three strategies to help you maintain that delicate balance.
Hire home health care services.
You may be able to handle caring for your parents all on your own, but that does not mean you should. Having someone else around to help, even if it is once or twice a week, gives you a but more time and freedom to get out of the house, do your own thing, and take a breather. Most home health care services offer very flexible options. You could have a caregiver come a few afternoons a week, or you could just have someone stop by for an hour or two in the middle of the day to have lunch with your parents while you're at work.
Schedule time to yourself.
Whether you love bowling, getting happy hour cocktails with your friends, visiting the gym, or reading at the park, make sure you schedule time each week to engage in an activity you enjoy. Treat that scheduled time as an obligation -- the same level of obligation you would consider a doctor's appointment or work meeting. Taking this time to yourself each week will keep you from feeling overwhelmed, and in the long term, developing caregiver burnout.
Talk to your parents about life balance.
Your parents will probably be so happy to be around you that they might want your attention every waking moment that you are home. While their intention is not to smother or overwhelm you, they may accidentally do so. It's best to talk to them about this up-front. Gently explain that you are very happy to have them in your home and that you are happy to care for them, but that you are an adult with other obligations, too. Explain that you need to maintain work-life-care balance, and ask that they be understanding of that. You may need to re-explain yourself a few times, but your parents have likely been in similar situations in their lives and should be understanding of your need for self care.
