1. Making preparations for elderly relatives can be a taxing
undertaking. Admitting that as loved ones age, they
require extra care can be a little bit disconcerting, because
it requires acknowledging that we all are going to age.
However, it is the responsibility of adult-age children to
prepare themselves and assume care for their elderly
parents, and helping with care for the aged doesn't have
to be an upsetting undertaking. Rather, it can be one
where everyone feels happy and secure.
2. The transition from receiving care from parents to
providing assistance is tough, but the step is an important
one. Best of all, the sooner you start making arrangements
for elderly relatives to receive the help they need, the
better the quality of life for both them and yourself.
3. After admitting that one's parents are in need of
assistance, it can be a little heartbreaking to start taking
the steps necessary to provide the best level of care.
Though this is tough, it is essential. The best care possible
is only an option after someone admits that it is time to
do something for his or her aged relatives, and this is also
an important part of the human experience.
4. Before getting too upset about this transition, it is often
comforting to think that many parents, even if they are
physically a little weaker, have already made their own
arrangements towards care and help. Most parents will
have their retirement plan set up in one way or
another, and some may even hire their own caretakers to
avoid the option of an assisted living facility. Be sure to
talk with your parents about their needs and desires, and
make sure that all of their bills and obligations are in
order. Allowing one's parents to remain independent is
one of the biggest parts of caretaking, and it is important
to not make anyone elderly feel as though they are
incapable of handling any of the arrangements in their
own life, even if assistance is necessary.
5. The second-best choice for optimal care of elderly
relatives is making space in one's home to house them.
While this might require a lot of logistical and emotional
adjustment, the truth is, people fare better when around
those who love them. Preparing a room on a ground floor
close to a bathroom is the best step, followed by the
inclusion of things that make one's elderly relative feel at
home, like personal effects and photographs. If moving an
elderly relative into your own home, be sure to allow
them to feel as though their space is there own.
6. Another option is providing around-the-clock care, which
is often more affordable than people initally think. It is
difficult to set a specific age at which this should
occur, and is better discussed with a physician who can
detail the needs of an eldery relative and determine
whether or not it is a good option. Assisted care is also
very important in keeping spirits up and allowing for a
level of independence to still exist.
7. If around-the-clock care is simply not an option, there are
a few things to keep in mind when moving one's parent
into one's home. In addition to providing a safe space
with easy access to everything from a bathroom to the
kitchen, it is important to keep a touch of ownership.
Making a transition from an entire house to a single room
can be tough, and parents are not immune to feeling guilty
or weak for needing to live with their adult-age children.
Having a lot of talks and being sure to allow personal
touches around not just the room but the house often
makes the transition a great deal easier on everyone
involved.
8. Always remember that the best possible care for the
elderly is providing an environment where they are not
only physically safe, but emotionally happy. Keeping
one's spirits up is the most important factor in staying
healthy, and should never be taken too lightly.