It is estimated that about 15.21% of the UK population is over 70 years old. You will likely have to take care of your parents if they constitute this demographic, and there are many things to consider.
For example, your parents may require help with transportation, shopping, and household chores. Additionally, you may need to put them in homes such as Oakland Care if they require nursing and dementia care that you can’t provide. It can be challenging to care for your aged parents, but you can fare better with a few helpful insights. Below are four tips worth knowing when caring for your elderly parents.
Take scheduled breaks
It is common knowledge that the caregiving role is stressful and can impact your physical and mental health. Indeed, the Mental Health Foundation reports that about 84% of carers feel more stressed due to their role. Consequently, it is vital to prioritise your well-being to avoid caregiver burnout by taking scheduled breaks. These breaks can be a few vacations annually, scheduling nights out with friends, or simply working out and taking daily walks. You can reach out to other family members to take over your role as you recharge your batteries to prevent burnout.
Consider your situation and abilities
There is no denying that everyone is in a unique place in their lives. Consequently, it is prudent to consider your situation and abilities before deciding whether you can handle all of your parents’ needs alone. For starters, it would be best to think about whether your health permits you to physically care for someone else. Additionally, consider whether you live close enough to visit your parents as often as needed. Furthermore, assess your personality and whether it can help you offer the type of care your parents need. Many experts agree that you should make this honest assessment early to make the right choice and avoid getting into an unsustainable situation.
Handle all home safety basics
Older adults can easily trip, fall, and hurt themselves if their homes have numerous safety hazards. As such, stay on top of all home safety basics to prevent falls and other accidents. You can add grab bars in the bathrooms and install brighter lights in rooms to improve visibility. Additionally, clear all rugs, cords, and general clutter from floors and walkways to reduce the likelihood of your parents tripping and falling. You can also purchase new appliances with auto-shutoff features to prevent them from being left on and accidentally causing a fire.
Include your parents in the process
Elderly parents typically feel frustrated and humiliated as their independence slips away with age. Therefore, it is vital to involve them in the care process as much as possible to ease their difficulties. You will likely have to engage in multiple conversations to break their initial resistance, but they will eventually regard you as a partner instead of a dictator. It may not always be convenient or effective to ask your parents if they require help before getting involved, but you need to ask anyway. Additionally, seek their opinions and preferences before deciding on trivial and consequential matters.
Also, before choosing the live in care first confirm the live in care costs that fit to your budget.
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