What's fair when mom moves in?
Two years ago, my 62-year-old mom lost her job and was injured shortly thereafter. Recognizing that my mom would need help for more than a few months, and since she didn't have any money, my wife and I had a small apartment built onto our detached garage in our back yard where she has been living and recovering for the past 2 years. She has no savings, no assets, and is facing insurmountable medical debt and will likely file for bankruptcy for the second time in her life. Now that she is able to work again, is it fair for me to ask her to find a full-time job and look for an apartment again despite her financial troubles? Or should my wife and I continue to support her despite next to nothing in return and a fair amount of strain developing between all of us? I love my mom, and I want to help her, but I don't want to be a crutch that she unnecessarily leans on for the rest of her life.
Hi Rob,
Thank you very much for your post. I'm very sorry to hear about the trouble you've been having with your mother, that must be difficult for your family. If you'd like, you can also post your question in our Ask & Answer section.
I hope that helps!
Take care, Emily | Community Manager Caring.com
Hi, can your mom get Social Security? If you charge her rent, she should be able to recieve Medicare as well as Medicaid? Just a thought, and I'm not sure you should expect something in return. I do not mean this disrespectfully. You know, I totally understand if the strain is financial this is a way to lessen the financial burden. If it's more emotional, I don't know, everyone has their own way of dealing with these issues. Good luck.
Go to Dept. of Human Services and apply for medicaid. You will have to fill out forms. Depending on your mother's finances, she may qualify, that is why I suggested for you to charge her rent as this has an impact on her ability to recieve it. You simply accept rent at a reasonable price for the area you live in and give her rent receipts. Do you understand what I'm saying. If she pays utilities you can add that as well. She might pay a certain amount if both homes are hooked up together. You might have to pay a little income tax for rental but shouldn't be much. Well worth it.
