Caring for elderly parents is a heartwarming yet demanding responsibility. With patience and knowledge of the right resources, you can make sure your parent’s needs are met while they age gracefully. You will want to find an experienced guide that provides comprehensive information on how to care for your parent – from comprehending their changing requirements to offering them physical and emotional support. By taking this approach, you’ll be able to give them comfort and joy no matter what stage of life they’re in or what health condition they have!
Aging is an inseparable part of life, yet we typically don’t recognize how much it can cause ripple effects for the entire family. As our parents age, adult children may be tasked with providing caregiving duties that require outside help when needed. When this happens, there are vital questions to consider: Is it best to tend to your elderly parents in their own home? Should they move into yours? Could a retirement community offer peace of mind? These topics must be addressed thoughtfully as one travels down this path.
Tips on how to take care of elderly parents
Caring for elderly parents, regardless of where they live, can be overwhelming. Whether you’re taking care of your parents in your home or theirs, there are a lot of variables to consider.
In their own home
When taking care of your elderly parents in their own homes, you won’t be with them every minute. You’ll have to balance running errands and completing chores while also providing companionship. To ensure that they are getting the right amount of help when you’re there, it is essential to monitor their daily living activities (ADLs). To get a clear picture of how much assistance they need, keep an eye on the following common ADLs:
Autonomous Eating- Mobility
- Dressing
- Personal Hygiene (including bathing and showering)
- Toilet Hygiene
If your parents can accomplish all these things, taking care of them at home is much simpler because your responsibilities will be limited.
At your home
Prepare Your Parents for Change
Adapting to a new environment can be difficult, particularly when caring for your parents in your home. To make the transition smoother, it is essential that you have honest conversations with them about what they need and expect from the arrangement. Ask questions like, how much independence they require or if any extra help will be needed. Having these talks beforehand allows both parties involved to set realistic expectations and minimizes unwelcome surprises later on.
Make Safety a Priority
When caring for elderly parents, it’s essential to eliminate as many risks as possible. Thus, moving their sleeping arrangements around, so they’re in a safe place is an absolute must; this may include keeping them mostly on one level of the house. Installing grab bars near showers and bathtubs will help prevent falls too! Further safety measures can be taken by removing any rugs or carpets that might snag fingers or toes and putting night lights up in darker areas. Thinking proactively about risk management when taking care of your aging parents at home ensures everyone stays happy and healthy!
Consider Your Schedule
Don’t forget to make time for yourself as you plan and prepare for your parents’ stay. You should have a plan in place so they know who to reach out to when you are at work during the day while also making sure that you don’t get overwhelmed with their presence 24/7. Create moments of respite and privacy where possible – ensuring that both your and your parents’ needs are met is key!
Living Arrangements
It’s essential to examine the living arrangements of our elderly family members. Are they alone or with relatives? Do they desire to remain in their home, or would you be willing to relocate somewhere more suitable for them? There are numerous considerations that you need to make and discuss honestly with your aging parents. To help, here is a list of some common dwelling situations available for seniors:
Aging At Home
Most seniors prefer to stay in their own homes as they age, and this lifestyle is becoming increasingly popular for independent elders. To do so successfully, the home may need adaptation to its environment, and services such as a family caregiver or professional support may be needed.
Independent Living Communities
Retirement homes, also known as active adult communities, are an ideal option for independent seniors who choose to rent or purchase their own home/apartment/mobile home in a senior-friendly community. Amenities like gyms, clubhouses, and yard maintenance make life easier for retirees by providing housekeeping services, security systems, transportation options, laundry facilities, group meals, and social activities. However, these retirement zones do not provide medical support.
Assisted Living Communities
This housing option is the perfect solution for seniors who require assistance with their daily activities, such as dressing, eating, bathing, taking medications, or getting transportation to appointments. It includes rooms for rent or an entire apartment rental, group meals served in a communal space, and amenities like social interaction opportunities, exercise classes, and laundry services. Housekeeping is also available here!
Nursing Homes
Seniors who require comprehensive care and medical monitoring, especially those with chronic conditions or rehabilitative needs, can turn to nursing homes that provide 24-hour support from skilled nurses. It’s worth noting that Medicaid covers the cost of long-term care for seven out of every ten residents in these facilities; however, Medicare typically does not cover this expense.
Living With A Relative/Family
Senior citizens who require help with daily activities and minimal health-related support can benefit from living with a family member, as they get to enjoy the comfort of companionship while receiving quality care.
The Emotional Challenges of Caring for an Aging Parent
Many caregivers are adult children caring for their parents. There are many, many different emotions and reactions people have to this experience. It can be or feel:
- Awkward when roles are reversed.
- Uncomfortable when you find yourself feeding, bathing, or supervising a parent who once cared for you.
- Frustrating when parents don’t listen to advice or accept help.
While you may have a loving relationship with your parents, other adult children find themselves caring for parents whom they never got along with well or having to deal with a variety of family dynamics.
These problems are very common. A support group, long-term care manager, or a family pastor, priest, or rabbi may be able to help you find ways to work things out with your parents. Individual counseling can also be helpful.
Considerations you need to know
Whether you are the primary caregiver of your parents or you have a support system taking care of them, we must admit that caring for an elderly patient can be an immense responsibility, but it can also be a rewarding experience. To ensure that your elderly patient is comfortable and receives the best care possible, there are certain considerations to take into account.
Their physical needs and capacities
When caring for your elderly patient, don’t forget to prioritize their physical needs. Provide them with access to any necessary medications and medical care they may require and make sure that specialized equipment is readily available if needed. Additionally, ensure there’s ample space and a safe environment in which they can move freely without worrying about tripping over clutter or objects scattered throughout their living area.
Their feelings
Your elderly patient’s emotional and mental welfare should be at the forefront of your mind. Offer a safe space for them to talk about any worries or fears, as well as meaningful socialization opportunities with other seniors. This could look like book clubs, volunteer events, and other activities that keep them connected with their peers. Moreover, providing stimulation through reading material or puzzles can help maintain their cognitive functioning in the long term, aiding both physical and mental health!
The finances
As you think about the costs of looking after an elderly loved one at home compared to a retirement community or other residence, don’t forget to explore options such as in-home health care and long-term insurance coverage that could make it easier for you to manage financial responsibilities.
Their individuality
Although two elderly patients may have been born close together, they will still require different levels of care depending on their individual needs and preferences. When providing personalized care for this demographic, it’s important to be familiar with the person’s lifestyle, habits, medical history, and emotional makeup – including any spiritual beliefs. By taking these considerations into account when making daily decisions about a patient’s care regimen alongside their physician(s), you can ensure that each one is receiving the best possible treatment suited specifically to them and their circumstances.
Looking after a senior requires patience and commitment from everyone involved, yet it is immensely rewarding when done correctly. By taking the time to prioritize all facets of their well-being – physical and psychological – you can rest assured that your relative will be safe, contented, and have every chance at living life fully.
Getting The Best Care For Elderly Parents
Ultimately, we all take on some type of caregiver role with elderly parents, even if we don’t live with them or provide daily care. As mom or dad, they once concerned themselves and devoted their time and energy to our well-being. Now, as adult children, we find ourselves doing the same for them. No matter how you look at it, caring for elderly parents means making sure they are safe, happy, and taken care of. If their well-being is ensured, then we have peace of mind.
Something to remember is that caring for elderly parents shouldn’t be a burden or responsibility to bear alone. Caregiver support is available. In addition to siblings and other family members, there are experts, professionals, resources, and loads of information to help you in caring for elderly parents. There are many choices and options available to allow them to age well and happily.
Finding the right mix for their welfare and happiness takes some time and is a dynamic condition that will change over time, perhaps even day to day. Don’t worry or stress out. Remember, you are not alone. Staying informed, considering their happiness and comfort, and making use of as many supportive resources as possible, is the best approach when caring for elderly parents.
References:
https://dailycaring.com/7-steps-to-take-when-aging-parents-need-help/
https://www.oakstreethealth.com/caring-for-aging-parents-12-steps-to-achieve-success-543209
https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/what-to-address-when-helping-older-parents/
https://aginginplace.org/a-guide-to-caring-for-elderly-parents/
https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/home-and-community-services/caring-aging-parent
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