Caring for elder parents can be difficult at times: we’re here to make it easier for you. In this guide, you’ll find 5 great tips that can help you!
It’s a position many of us find ourselves in as we get older—caring for elder parents within the home. Whether it’s temporarily after surgery or illness or permanently, our loved ones often require extra care and support as they get older.
However, it’s not always easy. Caring for a loved one can be a trying time, especially if you’re also trying to balance your own family, career, and life.
Is there any way to make it easier? Yes—keep reading for five great tips for caring for a loved one at home.
1. Caring for Elder Parents Means Asking for Help
When caring for aging parents, the amount of time and effort required can easily be underestimated. If you’re trying to do it all yourself, you may find yourself exhausted.
If you’re able to, ask for help! This could be from siblings, other relatives, or even neighbors. You may also want to see if you can hire help to come in a few hours a week, providing you with relief.
Often, caregiving is covered under insurance policies, so check to see if your parents are eligible for any in-home care.
2. Keep Track of Medications and Appointments
Staying organized is key when it comes to caring for elderly parents at home. With both parents on daily medications and frequent doctor and specialist appointments, it can be tough to stay on top of it all.
Keep a schedule that lists all times and locations of appointments, along with medication dosages and notes. This way, you’re not likely to miss anything important.
3. Make Time for Yourself
Caring for an aging parent in your home can be stressful, and you may get burned out if you don’t look after yourself.
You can’t care for another if you’re not caring for yourself, so try to eat healthily and get enough sleep each night. Try to also make time each week to do things you enjoy, such as seeing friends, participating in your hobbies or sports, or simply unwinding with a book.
This will help you stay fresh and destress during a challenging time.
4. Make Adjustments to Your Home
If your parents are living at home, you may want to make some adjustments to the home for their safety.
Add non-slip mats to the bathroom, install a safety railing, and consider setting up a bedroom on the ground floor if your parents are having trouble with the stairs. A few changes to your home can help keep your parents safe, which will give you peace of mind.
5. Encourage Them to Stay Active
Staying active, both physically and mentally, is key to growing older. Try to make sure your parents get some light exercise each day, eat a balanced diet, and are able to socialize with others.
There may be free events at a local senior center they can join in on or local clubs or events geared towards the elderly. You can also provide plenty of books, puzzles, games, and activities that can help them keep their minds sharp.
Look After Your Parents with These Tips
Caring for elder parents can be rewarding, but also challenging, so use the tips above to help make things easier. It’s an adjustment both for yourself and for your parents, and it may take some time for you both to get used to the new routine.
However, with patience, care, and planning, you can make sure you’re able to care for both your parents and yourself.
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