Kids and Parents Living Together Again in Nursing Home Settings

In yet another consequence of lengthening life spans, the adult children trying to care for people in their late 80s and 90s are likely to be approaching 70 themselves, or beyond it. On average, caregivers over the age of 75 provide 34 hours a week assisting their elderly parents – just about the time when they, too, are burning out on housekeeping and home maintenance.

In a novel twist, some 70 somethings are opting to live down the hallway from their 90 something parents in retirement communities, allowing them get the assistance they need while continuing to look after their parents with the added benefit of more hands on deck.

While it is hardly a widespread phenomena to date, some believe that where costs are reasonable, it might well catch-on. “It is remarkably common for children to make big adjustments to take care of an aging parent” says the co-director of the program on aging, disability and long-term care of Chapel Hill. Although few baby boomers welcome the prospect of living in facilities earmarked for ‘old people’, the closer proximity to aging parents combined with amenities such as shoveled walkways, prepared meals and housekeeping definitely holds appeal for many.
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Source: New York Times, “A Move Into Mom’s Building”, by Paula Span, January 5, 2016.