If you as a caregiver are entrusted with the task of caring for your only surviving elderly parent, you may have to make a decision whether to move dad or mom into your home. This is a tough decision to make as you have to consider many factors. The idea projects more negative aspects than positive ones. Since you wished to live separately, you had moved out of your parents' home. To go back to living with a parent is not usually a welcome idea.

The feasibility of the idea depends on your living conditions as well. If you are single, separated or divorced, there may be space to accommodate your parent. You could combine the two homes into one and save considerable sums of money on expenses. You could also share the rent and may be even enjoy the company of your parent.

However, if you are married and have children, then there is a severe space crunch. The grandchildren will be very enthusiastic about the idea as they would like the grandparents to be with them. The adults will feel the strain of an additional member in the household.

There are more benefits about the idea of letting your mom or dad move in with you. It will save you the numerous trips to their residence; you can provide immediate attention in case of any medical problem. Food preparation can include that of the parent too and they can just become a part of the family by blending in.

However, the question of accommodating a surviving parent will provoke a different reaction from the experts in eldercare. They would advise against accommodating them in your house, and to avoid it as much as possible. Parents have the habit of interfering with child discipline or marital spats. They will also be nosey about teenagers' issues. This will create discord among all the members of the family.

Teenagers do not like to answer questions and more so with inquisitive grandparents around. You have some conflict resolutions systems in place that work on each other's understanding. The systems work because each one can understand the signs. An elderly parent would be out of place in such as situation.

The main reason for not having your mom or dad live with you is because you as a primary caregiver need some respite and should be able to get away from the elderly at least for a short while. The role of primary caregiver is stressful, so it is good for you to go home and forget the worries for a while. You need to preserve the sanctuary, to maintain your sanity and health. This will prove to be beneficial to the caregiver as well as the receiver and all the others in the family too. After all, each one needs the space to unwind and refresh, and maybe your mom or dad needs it too!