4 Tips That Will Help You Take Care Of Your Elderly Parents

Between 2010 and 2020, the 65-and-older population grew by 34.2%. This is in thanks to baby boomers turning 65 in 2011. If you’re in your late 30s or 40s, then your parents are likely part of this population.

While they might be in good health right now, there will come a time in the near future where their health will decline. When that happens, you’ll want to be prepared so they have the best quality of life possible.

In this article, we’ll discuss 4  tips that’ll help you take care of your elderly parents.

1. Fix up Their Home

There’s no doubt that houses have various safety hazards. Many of them seem innocuous, but for an aging mother or father, they can be huge obstacles.

If your parents aren’t quite ready for an assisted living facility yet, you’ll want to fix up their home for them. Go through each room and check that everything is in working order. Their mobility might be different from when they moved in, and some spaces may no longer work well for them. In the bathroom, for example, they might benefit from a walk-in tub rather than what they currently have.

The floor should be free of clutter, including cords and rugs that they can trip on. You should also install extra fixtures that’ll make things easier for your parents, such as grab bars, stair railings, and additional lights.

2. Think About Everyone’s Needs

If you’re taking on caregiver duties, it’s important to consider everyone’s needs, including your own. Caregiver burnout is a very real possibility, so you want to make sure that you come up with a plan that’s beneficial for everyone.

Sit down with your elderly parents and determine exactly how much help they need, as well as social contact with you. We understand that they’re your parents and they’ve done so much for you in your life. But if you don’t have time to yourself, you’ll be no good to them either.

So be very firm about having days off where you can rest and recharge.

3. Have a Monitoring System Installed

If you’re anxious about your old parents being alone in the house, think about getting a monitoring system for elderly in the home. These come with a wide range of features, such as smoke and temperature detectors.

You’ll also get an activity report so if there’s anything unusual, you’ll know right away. No matter how near or far your parents live from you, you’ll have peace of mind knowing there’s a monitoring system that works 24/7.

4. Get Assistance From Professionals

For those of you who can’t care for your parents due to a busy life or distance, it’s worth it to get some assistance from professionals. Even if you take care of your elderly parents on a regular basis, hiring a part-time caregiver can give you much-needed respite.

Other ideas to relieve your burden include meal services and adult day programs.

Make Sure Your Elderly Parents Are Well Looked After

Now you have some great tips on how to care for your elderly parents.

While we understand that you want to do everything in your power to ensure your loved ones are fine, don’t forget to factor your own needs and life into the equation. Otherwise, you’ll face burnout in the near future.

If you need more advice on aging parents, then take a look at the rest of our blog page now.