Are you considering taking care of your parents from home but don’t really know how to do this? Do you want to know what you should and shouldn’t be doing when it comes to caring for your elderly parents?
Let’s face it, when our elderly parents start to need more help taking care of themselves, it can be difficult both emotionally and physically. Not only are we suddenly tasked with caring for someone who has been fiercely independent their entire lives, but we’re also often left feeling overwhelmed and unsupported.
Thankfully, there are a few key things you can do to make the process a little bit easier on yourself—and your parents. Here are a few dos and don’ts to keep in mind as you care for your aging loved ones.
Do your research and learn about the different types of care available
When it comes to caring for your elderly parents there are many different things that you should keep in mind and take into consideration in order to make sure that it is as efficient and as effective as possible. One of the best ways to go about doing this is to do your research in order to learn about the different types of care that are available.
These days there are various different types of care available for elderly parents and you should take note of all of the different types before you make your decision. Assisted living facilities offer elderly parents around-the-clock care and assistance with the activities of daily living while nursing homes provide high levels of medical care for elderly parents who need constant supervision.
In-home health care and home aide services Winnipeg are a great option for elderly parents who want to stay in their home but still need some assistance with daily tasks and caregivers can provide in-home health care services on a part-time or full-time basis depending on your needs. Before making your decision, it is a good idea to weigh out the pros and cons of each type of care before making a final decision.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
As your parents get older it can be difficult to see them needing help with certain tasks however this Carey can be necessary and something that you have to look into. It will always be OK to ask for help from friends and family members when it comes to caring for your elderly parents so that you can make the best decisions possible.
There are also many online resources available as well as support groups that can help you and your caregivers. It is also important that you take a break and get some rest and you can’t expect to do this all on your own. Seek assistance from others for simple, basic tasks such as taking the elderly out for a brisk walk in the fresh air or taking them to dentist appointments if they need any dental services like cleaning or if they need advice or help to decide on things like dentures over implants. Taking a few hours to yourself every once in a while can benefit your physical and mental health in a positive way.
It is a good idea to ask your elderly parents about their wishes and preferences when it comes to their care so that they can have the best life possible and not be stuck in a place that they absolutely despise. If you are still struggling it is a good idea to seek professional advice if needed.
Do create a schedule and stick to it as best you can
When it comes to caring for your elderly parents one of the first things that you should do is make a schedule. Once you have created the schedule you should stick to it as much as possible and try not to break away from it. In the schedule, you should include both times for you and for your parents.
When creating the schedule, you must make sure to set out realistic expectations considering that your parents won’t be able to do everything that they used to be able to do. It is important to take care of yourself too and make sure that you get enough rest and time for yourself.
Communicating with your siblings and other family members he’s very important especially if they are helping out as well. Lastly, you should not be afraid to ask for help whenever you need it.
Do establish boundaries with your parents
Next up on our list is establishing boundaries. Establishing boundaries is the key to maintaining a healthy relationship with your parents. You need to set out rules and expectations for how often you will visit, talk on the phone, or even help out and it is important that you are clear about what you are and are not able to do for them.
You shouldn’t feel guilty about setting boundaries since this is a necessary thing to do in order to maintain your own well-being and you should also be prepared for pushback from your periods considering they might not like your new rules. However, you should always communicate openly and honestly with them about your feelings and concerns as well as listen to theirs.