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Personal Care & Services - Personal Care
We all want to help our parents meet the goal of aging in place
independently and happily. Evaluating your loved ones' current
living situation and making necessary changes now increases the
likelihood they'll be able to stay in their homes for as long as
possible.
Here are five things you can do to ensure your parents can keep
their independence in the years ahead.
1. Assess Caregiving Needs.
Determine what your parent needs help with on a daily or weekly
basis. For example, would they be better off if they were having
the groceries delivered? Can your dad follow his medication
schedule? Do your parents need help with housework? Evaluate
their needs, and then match up service providers to take care of
those needs.
One major factor in an elderly person's independence is their
ability to drive. If they are not capable of doing so without
possibly causing injury to themselves or others, then arrange
other transportation options. Many municipalities, volunteer
groups, and nonprofit organizations offer seniors rides for
little to no fee.
2. Make Home Modifications.
Next, assess your parents' home and determine whether or not it
can safely sustain them now and in the future.
Mobility and the ability to monitor their safety is key. If
possible, make modifications to their existing home. Consider
(where possible) tearing down walls to create a more navigable
floor plan, installing easier-to-access showers and sinks, and
modifying fixtures so they're more user-friendly.
Also, look into home monitoring systems, which are becoming more
sophisticated every year. Some technologies even have the ability
to detect changes in your parents' activity. For example, if the
system senses that Mom took a fall, it can send instant alerts to
you and 911 in emergency situations.
If their home cannot be modified to accommodate your parents as
they age, then be proactive about looking for a new residence
(e.g., a new single-story home in a neighborhood near you or
assisted living).
3. Find Community Resources.
Until recently, local resources for seniors mostly consisted of
adult day care centers and Meals on Wheels programs. But as the
population of adults age 65-plus escalates over the next couple
of decades, more resources will become available.
4. Enlist Local Support and Companionship.
Many adult children live hundreds or even thousands of miles from
their parents. While Skype and phone calls are helpful, there's
no substitute for live check-ins to make sure your parent is
comfortable, safe, and happy.
Identify and recruit local family members, friends, or neighbors
who can stop in to be your eyes and ears.
If your parent is lonely and would like round-the-clock
companionship, consider pet ownership. Pets can reduce feelings
of isolation and give people a focus outside themselves. They
allow people to take on a caregiving role that not only provides
a reason to get out of bed, but also an overall sense of
purpose.
5. Do the Right Thing.
Even after you've made the necessary changes, there may come a
time when your parents are no longer safe living on their own in
their home. That is the time to consider moving them into a more
secure, monitored environment.
While leaving one's home is difficult and often viewed as a last
resort, quality of care means doing the right thing at the right
time. Your parents' safety is the first priority. If it will
compromise their well-being, it isn't worth keeping them at
home.
Carefree Caring
Sit down with your parents and thoroughly evaluate their current
living situation. By taking these steps, you'll not only unburden
your parents, but also increase their chances of aging in place
independently, happily, and safely for as long as possible.