Dr. Lakelyn welcomes Jennifer FitzPatrick, gerontologist and author of Cruising Through Caregiving, to discuss one of the biggest decisions caregivers face: whether to move a loved one into their home. Drawing from her clinical background and decades of experience advising families, Jennifer unpacks the emotional, logistical, and relational factors behind this choice. This episode provides tools to help families pause, reflect, and plan—rather than react in the heat of a crisis.

Episode highlights include:

- Why families consider moving a loved one in—and how to avoid making the decision in crisis.

- Essential questions to ask before inviting a loved one to live with you.

- How guilt, promises, and cultural expectations can influence caregiver decisions.

- The emotional and logistical challenges of multigenerational living.

- What to do when the living situation isn’t working out.

- Tools to help families pause, reflect, and plan rather than react.

Helpful links from the episode:

- Jenerationshealth.com

- Book: Cruising Through Caregiving (Amazon)

- Visit www.homeinstead.com/care-resources to explore more caregiving resources

To learn more about this podcast and to subscribe to our caregiving newsletters, visit www.homeinstead.com/caregiverchats. Share your thoughts, experiences and ideas by emailing Dr. Lakelyn at caregiverchats@homeinsteadinc.com.

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