It’s something that happens to all of us—we grow old. At times, it can be difficult to watch, especially when it’s your mother who is having difficulty getting around or your father who can’t take care of himself. As they stop being able to care for themselves, it’s only natural to want to keep them safe and healthy, but is a nursing home or care facility the best answer to this age-old problem?
Put yourself in your aging parent’s shoes for a moment. You’ve spent much of your life—perhaps your entire adult life—making a home for yourself and your family. Inside this home are all the memories you’ve made over the years, memories of both prosperous and difficult times. Now imagine you had to move out suddenly, perhaps against your wishes. How would you feel?
The truth is, admitting an aging parent or relative to a care facility isn’t just a matter of hurt feelings. If done too early, it can have a measurable effect on your parent’s mental health and psychology. But what can you do? You’re too busy to take care of your mother or father yourself—you’ve got a job and a family of your own.
Make Your Parent’s Home More Livable
While you wait to make a decision about what is best for your parent’s safety and well-being, there are some changes that you can make to make their home more amenable to your mother or father’s situation.
Some common changes people with mobility and balance issues choose to make include:
- Shower traction pads
- Shower hand rails
- Chairlifts
- Ramps
In addition to installing hardware like the above, many caretakers choose to get rid of area rugs and other things that increase the chance of a fall. At the very least, they choose to secure them with some sort of adhesive.
The thing to remember is that your parent’s situation will differ from someone else’s situation, so assessing what needs to change based on mobility and other health factors is the first step you need to take. As many can attest, a professional caretaker can help make suggestions to what needs to be changed.
Hire In-Home Care
Many children of aging parents think that sending their parents to a care facility or nursing home is inevitable. What they don’t realize, however, is that in-home care options are readily available. With packages and prices that are comparable, if not more affordable, in-home care is an increasingly popular option.
But affordability isn’t the only factor that makes in-home care a better option. Considering the psychological impact that moving an aging parent out of their home can have on him or her, in-home care makes sense from a mental health perspective, as well. Relocation Stress Syndrome can affect anyone, but for the elderly, the stress can lead to depression and high levels of anxiety.
To keep your parent in good spirits and good mental health, consider hiring Granny Nannies to take care of your parent from the comfort and familiarity of their own home. With a wide range of services, we are sure to have what your mother or father need. Want to learn more about your options? Get in touch with us by calling (305) 591-1818 today. We offer a free in-home consultation upon request.