It can be extremely hard to see once fit, healthy and active parents or grandparents become frail, vulnerable and unable to look after themselves. You obviously want the best care for them but depending on how healthy they are, they, or other family members may not agree with your decision. When it comes to deciding how to look after elderly relatives an often difficult situation can become worse by practical, emotional or financial complications. For example, not everyone can cope with the ‘role reversal’ aspect to care and unfortunately everyone’s routine is disrupted.
Flickr Image: Ben Smith
Moving Them In With Your Family
Many of us often think that this is the best solution when it comes to dealing with elderly, or infirm parents. However, moving say your mother in with the rest of your family isn’t as clear cut as you think. For starters, is your current home big enough? You may need to turn a dining, or living room into their bedroom / sitting room if mobility issues mean they can no longer manage stairs easily. If there are complex medical needs involved, then you may require specialist equipment such as a hoist, hospital style ergonomic bed and even a shower, or bath seat. These items can be arranged either by buying equipment yourself, speaking to the local welfare agency or renting through their doctor. Please note, moving and lifting a person is difficult and there are specific producers you need to follow. Lastly, who will look after them when you need a bit of a break?
Arranging For Home Care Services
If your parent, or grandparent is still fairly fit and independent then another, less emotional option may be to have an in home care for seniors timetable established. Typically, home care nurses come in the mornings and evenings, assisting with washing, meals and everyday tasks. Carers work in shifts so if there’s an issue it may be very short notice indeed. Not everyone likes the idea of having strangers in their home so it’s important that they don’t just appear out of the blue one day. Speak to your family member about how they would feel about having a little ‘extra help’ or to maintain their dignity suggest they’d love someone else to chat with because they’re probably bored of your voice, and if they agree you can look for help offered by those similar to Home Care Heroes, as an example,
Flickr Image: Damian Siwiaszczyk
Placing Them In A Residential Or Care Home
No one wants to put their parent, or grandparent into a care, or nursing home but if things have become too hard then for their, and your, health and happiness it needs to be done. Visit your local council or speak to a member of an elderly welfare group for more information on care homes. Don’t feel that you need to go with the first home you see make appointments, at different times of the day, to see as many as you like and if your relative is up to it have them go as well. Many older people don’t like the thought of care homes but an award-winning industry accredited or private facility should be a an entertaining, relaxing place for residents with a varied menu, plenty of activities to choose from and quality nursing care 24 / 7.
Flickr Image: Ted Eytan
