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Around 54% of Americans in their 40s have a living parent who is 65 years old or older, and they are raising a child younger than 18. If the time has come to care for an elderly loved one, and you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with this new chapter, you are not alone.
Plenty of others are in your shoes, trying to learn how to navigate the situation.
Keep reading to learn our top tips to help you during this season of life.
Make a Plan
You want to talk to your loved one about the help they feel they need. Then, create a plan for getting them that care. This is where you decide if they need to live independently but with some help, move in with you, or move into an aging care home full time.
When making a care plan, ensure you also involve your loved one’s doctor. This will help you make an informed decision if you’re looking for aged care facilities because you will have a better idea of the care they might require. If you are planning on moving them into your home, you still want to get their primary doctor involved so that you know what to expect.
Make the Home Safe
Safety should be a #1 priority. You want to reduce the risk of slipping and falling because the older you get, the harder it is for the body to heal.
To prevent tripping, it is best to get rid of any throw rugs around the home. You also want to add safety rails in tubs and showers. By getting rid of the extra clutter, you can create clear paths.
Set the water heater temperature to below 120 F or add anti-scaling devices to showers and sinks to prevent accidental burns with water. Ensure to place nightlights throughout the home to avoid tripping and falling at night.
Get Help
If you work full time, it is okay to get the help you need without feeling guilty about it. You can hire additional help or find help from relatives and friends.
You can also enroll your parent in an adult day program, where they can socialize, and you can have peace of mind that they are okay. Another option is to hire a caregiver to help you out around the home with daily tasks.
You can also opt to have home delivery for everyday supplies and buy in bulk, so you don’t have to worry about it often. Sometimes, you want to ask a close relative to help you out for the weekend so that you can take a break, rest, and recharge.
Meals
Many seniors cannot prepare, shop, or have the energy to prepare meals. For this reason, they are at risk of malnutrition because they will more than likely skip meals or eat foods without nutritional value.
Look for ways to provide ready meals so that when they are hungry, they can easily prepare or warm up their food. Another option is to check if there is a Meals on Wheels program in your area. This volunteer program brings hot meals to people who can’t prepare food for themselves.
Encourage Socialization
You also want to keep your parent engaged and active so that they don’t become depressed or lonely. Look for library activities, church events, community events, and volunteer opportunities for the elderly. This will help your loved one find others their age so that they have someone to speak to and unwind with besides you.
Socializing with family and grandkids is also something else to remember when setting up their social calendar.
Now You Can Take Care of Your Elderly Loved One
With our tips above, you can make informed decisions about caring for your elderly loved one. Remember that once upon a time, your loved one didn’t need help to get through life, so this might be a difficult chapter for them.
Try to remember this so that you can treat them with the love and care they deserve and need. Also, remember that sometimes plans change, and it’s okay to adapt to fit your loved one’s needs.
