answers 0:So basically I have the opportunity to move in with my grandparents. They live near the college I plan on attending this fall. They also need help around the house with such things as cooking, cleaning, driving them to appointments, making sure they take their medicine. My grandfather is blind and my grandmother has Parkinson's. My parents think its a great idea, not just because I'd be moving out, but that I can help out. They also say it's a great small step to take on my way to becoming independent. But this is my first time moving away from home. Yes, it's only 15 minutes away but I've been really attached and connected to my family. Moving into my grandparent's, as loving as they are, might be lonely. At my home, I see my parents every day, eat dinner, watch T.V. We get each! other more than my grandparents would get me. Is there any way to make this possible transition, however small, more comfortable for me? I know this might seem silly to be worried when I don't have to pay rent, they pay for school, and I don't have to get a job. But I really want to be independent and I have to start somewhere. So how can I emotionally prepare for this?...Show moreanswers 1:I think it's a bad idea. You can't even take care of yourself yet and somehow you're supposed to take care of two elderly people with serious medical and mobility issues? That's not independence. That's your parents/grandparents trying to avoid paying for a home health care worker. It is unfair of them to expect you to arrange your university schedule around Grandma's Parkinson's pills or Grandpa's lunch, not to mention that their needs are going to increase over time and it's going to be hard for you to get out from under that.You're better off with a traditional part-time job t! hat earns you a paycheck, employment references and some actua! l work experience. Working is an important step in both maturing and becoming independent. Live at home or go live in the dorms or rent a room somewhere...but this grandparent thing is a bad idea IMO. I'm normally big on "responsibility" but taking care of these elderly people is beyond a teenage college student's scope. This is the ONE TIME in your life where it's supposed to be all about YOU. No spouse, no kids, no aging relatives to care for...etc. You focus on school, have a part-time job and learn to take care of YOUR OWN SELF....answers 2:Caring for an elderly blind man and his wife who has Parkinson's isn't a small step. It's a full time job. It's emotionally exhausting. I don't want to be cynical, but it sounds like your parents are saving money in the long run by not having a trained nurses aide. I'm most concerned about the Parkinson's, being a progressive disease. I applaud you wanting to be independent but this is a lot.answers 3:At this age, everyone ! experiences the anxiety and uncertainty of change, but it is inevitable. It has to happen. You are striking out on your own and making your own way in the world. You are lucky that you have family close by. Focus on the fact that you will be starting college, which means a whole new set of friends from what you had in high school. Your situation in their home may cause some conflicts of interest. Be careful how much you volunteer for. If you have a full-time class schedule, you won't be around to take them to doctor's appointments much, as doctors and dentists have the same hours as classes, say 7 - 5. You don't want to be stuck having them tell you that you must miss class so you can take them to the doctor. Get them used to hiring a cab if necessary, or a handicap lift service. Sit down with them and talk about what specifically they want you to help them out with, and how often. Will they expect you to cook for them? Do the laundry? Take them grocery shoppin! g on the week-end? Take them to church? Mow the lawn? You will have ! take care of them more and more as they get older. So expect it, be kind, but also learn to say NO in a polite way if they want you to do something with or for them and you have to go to class. Also remember you need time to have a social life of your own instead of spending all weekend doing chores and errands for them. But taking care of elderly parents/grandparents can be a big responsibility/burden, especially if you have to do it all by yourself....answers 4:you wouldnt need a job if you were taking care of your grandparents, if you talk to someone in medicaid they can pay you to take care of them
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