Did you know many adult children experience a mental toll when they begin caring for their parents? Maintain your health. If you want to learn tips on caring for aging parents at home, we can help.
We’ll go over how to take care of an elderly parent. You can learn how to ask for help and set boundaries.
Want to learn more? Keep reading.
When Should You Help?
Some parents will experience a sudden decline in their health. Others end up with a new diagnosis or treatment plan.
As an adult child, you might step in earlier than others would. Make sure you become involved in your parent’s daily routine as they begin to age. Investing in a medical alert system for them can help them stay connected and stick to a routine as well.
You can look out for changes in their habits or behaviors. When you recognize these shifts, you will understand the optimal time to help. A good example of this is exercise. There are numerous walking benefits for seniors, so if you notice your parents becoming more and more sedentary, it may be time to intervene.
You Should Set Expectations
Also, before you begin to help your parents, spend some time setting expectations. Talk to your parents and understand each other’s boundaries and expectations.
It would help if you talked about how you will assist and what they feel comfortable with now.
How Much Care Do Your Parents Need?
Next, think about how much care your aging parents will need. Do they have a lot of caregiving needs that might even be out of your hands?
Bring in some medical professionals or occupational therapists to assess the situation.
Sit down with your parents. Try listing out your daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. This will help you understand what they will need help with throughout the week and weekends.
Try sitting down with a notebook and write down all the things you help your parents with, or when they ask. Try doing this exercise for at least a week.
You will gain a better understanding of what help’s needed.
Keep note-taking for a month or two to ensure you don’t miss anything.
What Can You Do?
Spend time thinking about what you can help with and what you can’t.
You don’t want to end up taking on too much. You could harm your health and your parents.
Think about how much you can provide and what you need to get help with beforehand. You can prevent burnout and health conditions.
Ask For Help
You aren’t a failure if you need help. Asking for help with caregiving might make you feel a certain way.
But remember, you are only capable of doing so much. Remember this if you are raising your kids and trying to help out with your parents.
Spend time researching your options. Find a reliable and honest person to come and help your parents.
You could hire in-home caregiving to help you out and allow you to get a break. Look at getting respite care as well if you need an extended break.
Some people sign up for meal delivery services. While others will ask friends or family to help run errands.
Share the Load
Have a meeting with your family. Determine how to share the different responsibilities. You should ask for other family members to help if they are available.
Ask a close friend as well. You might have a relative stay at your home for a week every few months so you can go on a break.
Begin Lowering Financial Stress
Some adult children end up with financial burdens when they care for their aging parents. You can lower caregiving costs.
Look into different government or private benefits programs. Some programs are available to help out with caregiving costs. Try to lower the cost of prescription drugs when possible.
Take Care of Your Health
If you have begun to take care of your aging parents, make sure you prioritize your self-care. Look at going on frequent breaks throughout the month.
Eat nutritious meals, exercise throughout the week, and talk to a counselor.
Continue to meet with your friends, and share the load. Talk about what’s going on in your life and enjoy your hobbies and passions.
Try and stay healthy, so you can continue to provide the care your parents need without burning out.
What About Senior Care?
Some people won’t be able to manage their parent’s needs alone. If your parent needs more medical attention or helps with daily living, you could consider assisted care.
Look into the different options available. Some people will flourish in a community of aging adults. You could also look at adding an en-suite to your home or a granny pod.
If you’d like to learn about a granny pod, check out https://actonadu.com/. Your parents could have their space, but they live on your property.
The benefits of living on the same property include being around grandchildren. Also, you will have an easier time helping your parent. You won’t need to worry about driving across town.
Check out your options and talk to your parents.
Now You Understand More About How to Take Care of an Elderly Parent
We hope this guide on how to take care of an elderly parent was helpful. Think about what time you have available and ways you can help. Look at working with other family members and developing a schedule.
You should take care of yourself and maintain your self-care routine.
Are you in need of more health or wellbeing life tips? Stick around and browse our articles on health and relationships. We have so many resources on the blog for you to check out today.
