As your parents age, a day may arrive when they’re unable to care for themselves at home any longer. If you’ve decided that you’d like to move them into your home instead of leaving them in their home or moving them into a senior living facility, there are numerous steps you’ll have to follow along the way.
This article will discuss a few tips for caring for your aging parents in your own home.
Get Your Finances in Order
As you prepare to care for an aging parent in your home, it’s important to get your own finances in order. You’ll likely need to include some additional expenses in your budget, such as extra money for their prescription medications, as well as any other medical equipment they may need. An average family spends between $500 and $1500 each year on medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, so it’s important to include this category in your budget and account for a potential increase in spending.
Make Your Parent Feel Welcome
You may be able to facilitate communication in your family by working to help your parent feel welcome in your home. It’s likely that everyone involved is feeling a little anxious about the transition. You can make it go more smoothly by making sure that their new environment is as comfortable as possible for them. Set aside an area of the house where they’ll have privacy, include some foods that they like in the grocery trip, and do your best to involve them in daily family activities. This can help them feel welcome instead of like an unwanted guest.
Read and Understand Your Parent’s Health Insurance Policy
Spend some time learning about your parent’s private medical insurance, if they have it, as well as the Medicare coverage that they have. You’ll need to know what each program covers and how the two work together, or what Medicare covers if it is their only insurance. A federal program that provides healthcare to individuals age 65 and older, Medicare can be complex with several plan options. Be sure you understand what your parent or parents’ policy is and how out-of-pocket expenses will impact your own family’s budget.
Lean On Others for Help
Caregiving can be extremely difficult emotionally, and burnout can be common. If you find that you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of the changes in your life, or by all of the things you have to do to care for your aging parent, it may be time to ask for help. You may be able to find emotional support through therapy. In addition, you may be able to get home health aides to come in and assist you with your parent’s care depending on their situation. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and other family members for help so you can get a little bit of a break.
Stay On Top of Medical Appointments
It’s important to stay on top of your parent’s ongoing health checkups and medical appointments. The American Cancer Society reports 72 as the average onset age for mesothelioma in the chest cavity, and as many of our parents are reaching this age, it’s important to have them evaluated for this condition as well as numerous other health conditions. Staying organized and on top of their medical appointments can help catch health problems sooner rather than later.
No one likes the idea of their parents needing full-time care. If moving them into your own home is the best option to provide this care, it’s important to handle it in a manner that’s least stressful for everyone involved. These tips can help keep everyone happy and content throughout the process, giving your parent the much-needed time to adjust to their new living space.
