01 Mar Caring for Elderly Parents at Home
There might come a time when you will have to decide what will be best for your loved one. Making the decision to care for your elderly parents in home can be tough. The best thing to do, before making the decision to move your loved one in with you, is to sit down with the whole family and talk about how it will be best to proceed. A few things to consider is the financial stability, how much care will your loved one actually need, and what other family members are available for support. Once the decision has been made to care for your elderly parents at home, there are some things you can do to help with the adjustment.
Make sure you are fully aware of the financial costs.
This is a tough subject with most families. One part of the conversation with your family is the financial aspect of moving your loved one into your home. Will other family members be contributing? Does your loved one have Medicare or Medicaid? It is important for you to draw out a budget to see how much your monthly spending is going to increase with things like food, water, or transportation. If your loved one needs extra in-home care, understanding the costs associated with and in-home assistant is necessary.
Make sure they are comfortable living in your house.
You will want to be sure that your elderly parents are able to get around your house with ease. If you have a two story house, you will want to have a space available on the first floor for your parents to live. A lot of times, elderly have issues with stairs, so a living space and a bathroom on the first floor is the best option. If there is not a space that you can convert, installing a chair lift is a good option. If your parent is in a wheelchair, be sure there is plenty of space for them to safely get around.
Make sure you can provide the assistance they need.
Depending upon the severity of their needs, you will need to be sure you are capable of maintaining their livelihood. If your parent needs to be bathed, dressed or have a diaper changed, are you able to handle those tasks? If there are any tasks that you will need help with, you may want to consider hiring in-home help. You want to be sure that your loved ones are getting the best care possible.
Having your loved one move into your home to care for them is an incredible gesture. Many elderly senior want to be surrounded by family who loves them and things that are familiar to the them. Elderly parents home life should be comfortable so that they are able to live their life to the fullest. In-home senior care is a great option for those who can ensure the safety of their loved ones. Understanding the financial costs, the living arrangements and guaranteeing the full assistance will be provided are a few steps to take when caring for elderly parents at home.