Caring for your parents as they age presents unique challenges, especially if you're an only child. It can test your patience and resilience, and the responsibilities can feel overwhelming!
However, there are home care options available that can make this season in life smoother and more manageable for both you and your parents.
Finding Support for Parents' Care
Many people choose to keep their parents in their own homes to maintain a sense of continuity, dignity, and independence instead of other options, such as an assisted living home. Doing so often requires someone to act as a family caregiver to help them out around the house. As an only child, that responsibility often falls to you.
But caring for elderly parents in their home takes work. It requires compassion, patience, and practical planning. One key strategy is not attempting to shoulder all of the responsibilities by yourself. It's crucial to seek help and share your tasks with others, even if you don't have siblings to pitch in.
- Preserving your mental and physical well-being is equally important.
- Finding moments for self-care is essential for maintaining your sense of calm and control.
This might mean taking a short walk, enjoying a hobby, or simply taking a few quiet moments—these are not selfish acts but necessary ones. Engage in stress-reducing activities and consider support groups where you can share experiences and strategies with others in similar situations.
Paying for Parents' Care
Is there a program that pays you to care for your parents? The financial aspect of caregiving often surfaces as a concern. Fortunately, there are programs available that can ease this burden. Personal Care Assistant (PCA) services are one such avenue (learn about the new CFSS program in Minnesota). You or another person can get paid for caring for elderly parents through state programs.
Caring for Elderly Parents Checklist
How do you deal with the stress of caring for an elderly parent? A checklist can help!
This list serves as a guide to ensure nothing important is missed in the daily management of caring for your parents. You will want to work with your parents' healthcare team and other family members to personalize this list.
Health Care
- Schedule Regular Medical Check-ups: Keep track of all medical appointments and create a system for follow-ups so nothing falls through the cracks.
- Manage Medications: Organize medications, understand their purposes, and ensure prescriptions are refilled on time.
- Create an Emergency Plan: Have a clear emergency plan in place for yourself and other caregivers, including contacts for doctors, neighbors, and nearby relatives.
Legal and Financial Matters
- Important Documents: Ensure easy access to essential documents like wills, power of attorney, medical directives, insurance policies, and financial accounts.
- Financial Planning: Review finances to cover healthcare and other living expenses. Consider consulting a financial advisor if necessary.
- Insurance Review: Regularly review health and life insurance policies to ensure they meet your parents' needs.
Home Safety and Accessibility
- Safety Checks: Regularly inspect the home for potential hazards, such as loose rugs and poor lighting, and install safety features including grab bars and non-slip mats.
- Make Living Modifications: If necessary, make home modifications to accommodate mobility aids like walkers or wheelchairs.
- Technology Assistance: Utilize technology (i.e., emergency response systems, medication reminders) to support your parents' independence and safety.
Personal Care
- Daily Living Activities Assistance: Assess whether help is needed with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. These are tasks that can be handled by a PCA.
- Ensure Proper Nutrition: Monitor nutrition and consider meal delivery services or prepare healthy meals to meet dietary needs.
- Encourage Exercise: Encourage regular, ability-appropriate exercise to maintain mobility and mental health.
Social and Emotional Well-being
- Social Activities: To keep your parents socially engaged, encourage participation in family gatherings, community events, and senior groups.
- Hobbies and Interests: Support the continuation of hobbies and interests to keep minds active and spirits high.
- Care for Mental Health: Watch for signs of depression or loneliness and seek professional help if needed.
At Best Care, we recognize the value of the caregiving responsibilities you are taking on for your parents as they age, especially if you're an only child. We are here to support you through every step of your caregiving journey.
