3 stories of caregiving to guide home-care decisions

The moment in time when our parents lose their independence is the beginning of an intimate and very personal journey for every family. I recently wrote about some of the important

considerations when looking at long-term care facilities for a parent. Another option, one that used to be a way of life in America, is the multigenerational home. And of course, living with

your elderly parents is a decision that comes with certain considerations and many incredible gifts. My maternal grandmother was a colorful and larger-than-life personality. As a concert

pianist, she had a big presence that didn’t necessarily mesh with my father’s personality. Even as a child, I understood that my dad enjoyed my grandmother’s company — in small doses. When

her health began to fail after my grandfather’s death, the option of living with us was never discussed. The layout and size of our home and the demands that would have been made on my

mother were not an option. She moved to a senior care facility as her Parkinson’s worsened, and my mother devoted part of each week to her many needs. Without that regular contact, however,

she was no longer a presence in my life.  Living with and caring for a parent on a daily basis is one of the most intimate and exceptional acts of devotion on the part of an adult child.

I’ve experienced this gift during summers when my mother has come to live with us for six-week stretches, becoming part of life’s daily fabric and watching the rhythms of her grandchildren

as they grew. I’ll always cherish that time. SEPARATE BUT TOGETHER Carolyn Cross Daley, 54, of Slingerlands, New York, moved her mother, Elayne Cross, into her home when she was 75. The

Daleys built an addition on their home while she was able and independent that had its own entrance, an internal door connecting her to the rest of the house and its own small kitchen and

laundry. This arrangement worked well for everyone and allowed her to retain her independence while still being part of the larger family. “Living in the same home meant that she could be

present for so many things — especially the everyday, informal moments — and then retreat to her quarters,” Daley recalls. Amy Goyer and her parents, Patricia and Robert Courtesy Amy Goyer

At the age of 84, her mother experienced seizures from a reaction to medication, which left her with cognitive impairment and declining health. For the next nine years, until she passed at

the age of 93 — right before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Daley, her husband, Shawn, and their three children provided a scaffolding to help her with daily living. “The last three years

became much more intense as her dementia progressed,” says Daley. “We never needed to bring in medical aides, but there were times we needed to hire people for companionship during the

workday.” Daley describes this labor of love as a commitment that comes with both great sacrifices and rewards. “Gone was our ability to be spontaneous with travel, and our social life took

a tremendous hit,” she explains. Daley also continued working at a job that was less pay than others she could have gotten, but it came with flexible hours that made it easier to care for

her mother. “Despite all of that,” she says, “the reward of providing love and support to an elderly parent outweighed any sacrifice. Our three children grew up with their grandmother in

their everyday life, attending dinners and athletic events and participating in hobbies and interests. They were witnesses to and an integral part of unconditional love in action.”