Planning the Future With Your Older Parent

There may come a time when you will be called upon to care for your older parent. Those individuals who you saw as so robust and strong, begin to need you more and more. It can be a hard road to tread and elder care is demanding, but it may be what you and they want.

In this blog we take a look at some of the ways you can make this journey easier. From remembering to look after yourself to finding ways of sharing the burden. Join us as we talk about caring for elderly relatives without letting it overwhelm you.

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Know Your Caregiving Limits

You love your parent and the last thing you want is for them to feel alone. Care is so much more than addressing physical needs. So much is tied up in keeping your loved one mentally healthy and engaged. But there’s only so much one person can do. If you’re still working or have your own health or mobility issues, then you will need to consider your limitations.

You may be able to visit every day but will you be able to carry out the physical jobs of moving your parent safely? Taking care of your loved one also means taking care of yourself. The last thing they would want is for you to hurt yourself physically or feel overloaded mentally.

Find Help with Older Parent

There are many studies that show older people thrive much better in their own homes. That’s not to say they can’t find happiness in a retirement setting but if their desire is to stay put, then that should be respected. Obviously if their medical needs require round-the-clock attention that might be more difficult to accommodate. But, there are options.

These options might include having a live-in carer or someone who visits every day. This is an effective nursing home alternative. It allows your loved one the freedom to stay in a house they love. It also gives them the chance to have daily contact with the outside world. The carer will be able to help with meal preparation, oversee medication and get them into bed at the end of the day.

You may worry about your parent in the night, particularly if you feel they may fall when getting out of bed. We suggest replacing their existing bed with a hospital one or a bed that can be height adjusted.

You might also consider having an alarm to pull should they require assistance.

When You Feel Overwhelmed

It’s easy to feel like it’s getting too much and when that happens there is help out there. Talk to friends and family or a charity that helps people in your position.

You want to do the best for your mother or father and that means supporting them in the decisions they make. It shouldn’t come at the expense of your own health, so sit down and plan with them today. Create a future you are both happy with and can make happen. 

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Consider downloading Dorothy’s book: Caring for Mom, where she shares the ups and downs of her journey caring for her mother.