Remember how patient and loving your parents were when you were a child? Now it’s your turn to show a little love and support. Yet, when the roles reverse, it can be a little jarring. After all, normally it’s your parents looking after you! However, such is the cycle of life, and as we get older, we require extra care. It can be emotional watching your loved one shift from being the strong parent who took care of you to someone with a cane or someone who requires special medication.
Yet, as stressful as it may seem, caring for your older loved one may turn out to be very rewarding. After all, who is better suited to take care of them than you? However, as rewarding as it may be, it will, of course, come with its challenges. If you are currently looking after your older parent, or it looks like you’re going to have to start soon, here are some tips you’ll want to know.
Keep Them in the Loop
Let’s be honest—nobody wants to have to talk about their wills or what kind of care they might want if they become incapacitated and unable to care for themselves. Yet, waiting too long to have this conversation could leave everyone stressed out and unprepared. You must keep your loved ones in the loop and have the conversation early on.
The big conversations should happen as early as possible so that everyone knows the deal. Just make sure that you go about it gently. Ask the right questions in a caring way, and make sure they know the reason you’re asking is so that their wishes are honored. This isn’t a morbid conversation, but rather a conversation about preparedness.
Make the Home Safe
Whether they’re living on their own or living with you, you must make the home senior-friendly. A home should be somewhere your older loved one feels safe—and where you feel at peace about their safety, too.
After all, if you’re constantly worried that they’re going to trip over a rug or fall down the stairs, then it’s only going to create extra stress. Create a living environment that is senior-friendly, with plenty of features that will keep them safe and as independent as possible. From grab bars to motion sensor lights to slip-free floors, every little extra effort will make a difference in the whole family’s comfort.
Don’t Forget Self-Care
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to prioritize your family member while forgetting about yourself. Remember, you cannot pour from an empty cup. In other words, if you don’t take care of yourself, how do you hope to take care of your loved one?
Make sure that you enlist help whenever possible, and don’t forget to take breaks when you can. Caring for an older parent can be challenging, both physically and mentally, so you want to make sure you’re looking after yourself along the way.
