For many people, helping their parents with the process of aging in place is the ideal way to care for them as they get older. This alternative is not only less expensive than paying for a nursing home or long-term care facility but is also more comfortable and requires less of an emotional adjustment.
However, that’s not to say that caring for elderly parents at home isn’t without its share of challenges.
In this post, we’ll give you some tips on caring for elderly parents at home so that they (and you!) can be well taken care of.
Benefits and Challenges of Caring for Aging Parents at Home
There are plenty of benefits to aging at home. For one, your parents will be able to grow older in the comfort of their own home. This can not only increase the likelihood of better longevity and improved physical health but also make it easier for them to participate in the social and community engagements that they’ve always loved.
It’s also less expensive. Although there are financial obligations associated with staying at home, doing so is far less costly than going to a nursing home.
However, there are also some roadblocks that you may encounter. If a home is older and hasn’t undergone any recent modifications, it may not be safe for an elderly parent to live in. You also need to consider how your parents will get the transportation they need to go to things like doctor appointments.
3 Tips for Caring for Elderly Parents at Home
Here are three tips that can make caring for your elderly parents a bit easier – no matter how close or how far away you happen to live.
- Get Help From Afar
One of the biggest challenges that people face when caring for their elderly parents at home is that it can be difficult to get a good read on how well they are doing – especially if you live far away.
In many cases, seniors who are struggling will hide their struggles on phone calls. You’ll need to enlist certain types of help in order to make sure your parents are actually doing ok.
Finding a respite care provider to help with meal planning, doctor visits, or even errands around the house can be huge. Sometimes, they may even be able to administer medication. This can take a lot off your plate.
There are even ways to monitor elderly parents remotely with apps and other tech tools, so be sure to take advantage of all the resources that are out there.
- Keep Your Parents Engaged
Especially if you are going to be installing home monitoring tools or enlisting the help of outsiders to care for your parents, make sure they’re involved as much as possible in those decisions.
It can be tough to do when your parents are suffering from conditions like Alzheimer’s or dementia, but do your best to make sure they feel heard.
Not only that, but try to keep them involved with the rest of the community. If you aren’t able to get your parents to social, recreational, or religious activities yourself, see if you can hire a companion or enlist the help of a friend or another family member instead.
- Make the Home Safe and Accessible
Finally, know that caring for elderly parents at home really isn’t possible unless the home is safe and accessible. Slips, falls, and other related injuries are the biggest threats to seniors living at home.
You may need to do some structural modifications to a home, but in some cases, it’s as simple as a few basic steps.
Strike the Right Balance
Caring for elderly parents at home is certainly a labor of love. It can require extensive financial resources and lots of time – and of course, lots of attention.
However, these tips for caring for your elderly parents at home should help make the process a little easier – and as stress-free as possible.