As our parents get older, they’ll need assistance on a daily basis. In these situations, the children have to choose between retirement homes and personal care. Both options have their pros and cons, although the latter one is probably the simpler solution.
“Retirement homes don’t always have the necessary equipment and the staff to take care of parents’ basic needs,” warns Always Best Care, a home care in Dupage, IL. Still though, according to this company, retirement homes can also create a social environment that is much needed for the elderly.
Still, that doesn’t mean you should completely scratch in-house care. Implementing this option is quite arduous, which is why we’ve decided to outline some actionable tips and tricks to help you out. These methods are easy to implement, although many people are completely unaware of them.
Get Used to Routine
Like with little kids, taking care of aging parents is all about routine. You should check your parents’ vitals each day (sugar if they are diabetics, pressure if they have high pressure) to see if their state changed. Many parents start exhibiting the first symptoms of dementia at this time, which is why you should try to engage their brains and give them simple tasks around the house.
Routine is also vital for your time management. If you finish all your chores early on, you’ll have more time to dedicate yourself to work and your kids. The important thing to remember here is that the process shouldn’t be rushed. Even if your parents look good, they might be struggling with some issues and might require extra help.
Get Others Involved
You shouldn’t act as a martyr when taking care of your parents. Instead, you should find the best solutions that will help them. Enlisting the support of your partners and children is great for splitting the work and preventing burnout.
Each family member should be assigned a specific task. For example, your husband can take your parents for a daily walk while your kids can do basic memory exercises. You can make the process much more fun for everyone without overburdening anyone in particular.
Enlist Professional Help
Despite your best efforts, you’ll likely need to hire a house nurse at one point. Having a medical professional nearby is essential if your parents are struggling with a chronic condition and need someone to monitor their state and administer therapy.
Even if you don’t need a nurse, you’ll likely need someone to switch places with you once in a while. Home health aides will assist you with other tasks, such as driving your parents to checkups, doing laundry, and cooking meals. Find someone who is readily available and can assist you at a moment’s notice.
Find Cooking Alternative
Home-cooked meals are just the thing for ailing parents. Unfortunately, with all the other obligations looming, you probably won’t have time to cook each and every day. In these situations, it is worth considering local meal providers.
We suggest you find a company that offers a wide variety of options. Ideally, the provider should have a similar menu to what you’re otherwise cooking. That way, your parents won’t have to adjust to a different set of dishes and will get all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and proteins.
Consider Your Needs
With proper care, parents can even survive a gloomy diagnosis and keep on living for years. Unfortunately, while they might feel great, you’ll likely start to exhibit the first signs of fatigue and, eventually, complete burnout.
As mentioned, splitting the work between family members and caregivers is the best way to spread the workload. On top of that, we recommend you stick with the usual leisure routine. Don’t stop traveling, getting massages, and your beauty treatments. Keep on doing things that fulfill you to avoid a complete breakdown.
Increase Access
Most elderly will start exhibiting mobility issues at one point. Even if they’re moving well, you should introduce security measures and other enhancements that will make it easier for them. For example, simple grab bars will significantly reduce the risk of injury, while additional rugs will almost eliminate the chance of slips.
We also need to consider medical equipment. Special hospital beds and ancillary equipment might be required for your parents, depending on their ailment. If your parents are struggling to move around, a wheelchair, stairlift, and better house access can make all the difference.
Last Thoughts
Taking care of aging parents at home is not only humane but can also be a great experience. You have the chance to spend some time with your mother or father before they pass away and relieve various moments from your lives.
To do everything right, we recommend you create a routine and enlist the help of others. Think about your own needs during this time, and try to maintain the same routine you had previously. That way, you’ll be able to fully enjoy this period without having to deal with burnout.