As your parent ages, it can be difficult for you and your senior loved one to handle changing needs and roles. When it becomes difficult for Mom or Dad to live alone, moving in with you may be the best option. To ensure you’ll be able to promote safety and provide high-quality care for your loved one, make sure you do these five things before moving a parent into your home.
1. Meet with Your Loved One’s Doctor
Knowing as much as possible about your loved one’s health and what type of care he or she needs is a crucial factor in deciding if you can take on the role of caregiver. Be realistic about your parent’s emotional and medical needs as well as the level of care your loved one will require. Be guided by facts rather than emotion or guilt, and don’t forget to explore options such as hourly or live-in care for respite and additional assistance.
Families who need help caring for senior loved ones can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
2. Talk to Your Loved One
It can be easy to dismiss a senior in failing health, especially if changes in memory or cognition are evident. Yet it’s extremely important to respect your parent’s feelings, listen to his or her objections, and guide the discussion to ensure your loved one understands you’re trying to preserve his or her quality of life, independence, and safety. Also, don’t be afraid to get help from a counselor or mediator.
3. Include Your Loved One in the Decision-Making
To the extent possible, give your parent choices. Are there options for who your loved one can live with? Is living at home still an option? What belongings can your parent keep? Ask your loved one about his or her wishes and determine which ones are viable and which ones may not be. Openly discuss why certain options aren’t possible instead of saying no outright.
Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers. The type of home care Reston seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time.
4. Calculate Finances & Know What Help Is Available
Taking on too much can harm both your loved one and you as a caregiver. Develop a budget for your own finances as well as your loved one’s. Budget for personal expenses such as food as well as medical issues or emergency care.
5. Find Out if Your Home Is Safe
There are many home safety assessments available online to help families pinpoint possible safety hazards at home. For instance, a narrow hallway may never have posed a problem for your family but may be a safety hazard for a senior with limited mobility who uses a cane or walker. Determine if your home is safe for your loved one’s needs and lifestyle, and make modifications wherever necessary, such as adding safety rails or grab bars in the bathroom.
Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Reston, VA, Assisting Hands Home Care can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. If your loved one needs professional care, Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help. To hire a compassionate, dedicated caregiver, call us today.
