There is an odd transition point in the lives of many adults, when we find that our roles and relationship to our parents can undergo a kind of inversion. They may find themselves in need of care and, eventually, unable to safely live alone. Disability and age can affect us a lot, and while some may help their parents find a retirement community, some might prefer to keep them closer to home. However, you should never underestimate how big a change this can be, and do your research on your options to make that transition easier.
Seeking Support Services
The first point of discussion might be to find out whether you can get some help for your parent. Senior care agencies and home health aides can provide all manner of help, whether it’s necessary for the whole day or only for certain times or activities. You should also look into options such as meal delivery services and transportation that can help your parent take care of their needs through either community provisions or paid services, if you have the budget for it.
Consider Becoming Their Carer
If you are willing and able to help take care of your parent’s needs yourself, then it certainly does have its advantages. What’s more, you could even be getting paid to provide care for a family member under the right circumstances. This can alleviate the financial burden that comes with having a new dependent, and help you free up more time to see to their needs. Of course, this does come at a great personal cost, in that you have to devote a lot more of your time to their well-being and taking care of their needs. But there are those who would prefer to do it themselves and do it right rather than entrust that responsibility to a stranger.
Making The Home More Accessible
You can reduce quite how much work it takes to accommodate the needs of your loved one by making sure that the environment allows them to do more for themselves. Accessibility upgrades to the home include not just safety measures like improving the lighting and installing grab bars in the bathroom. Preparing it for mobility aids, such as with stair lifts and ramps, or using smart home technology such as voice controls for lighting and comfort, medication reminders, and emergency alert systems, can cater to a much wider range of needs.
Emotional Needs Are Important Too
The practicalities of caregiving are important, but it’s important to ensure you don’t overlook the emotional side of the equation, too. Make sure you set aside time for activities that they enjoy, be it watching movies, gardening, or spending time with friends. Don’t neglect yourself, either. Caregiver burnout is real, and scheduling personal downtime or getting respite care to help can make sure that you’re able to keep being the reliable loved one that you want to be.
It’s never guaranteed to be an easy switch, to become your parent’s carer, or simply to help them find some means of getting the support they need. The tips above should help you explore the path ahead a little, at least.