While we would love our parents to stay forever young, the aging process happens to us all. This means that, as you get older, so will your loved ones, which may result in their mobility and health declining rapidly. If your elderly parent requires round-the-clock assistance, you may decide that you want to be their caregiver.
Before stepping into this role, you need to be aware that, without the proper experience and knowledge, you could burn out. To ensure your loved one is in safe hands, here are five tips that can help you deliver the best support.
Break Everything Down
Once you’ve decided to care for your elderly parent, your first step should be to examine how much care they need. Be careful not to take on too much responsibility in the beginning, as you can become overwhelmed easily. Write down everything your loved one needs help with now, as well as things they may need assistance with in the future. Whether it’s running errands, doing housework, or personal care, knowing what to expect is key.
Be Realistic
When it comes to looking after a parent, it’s natural you’ll want to do everything you can for them. However, with your own life to lead and the responsibilities that come with it, you must be realistic with what you can handle. Your parent won’t want you to put your life on hold to care for them, so you must have open and honest conversations with them before making your next move.
Ask for Help
If you look for help, you may feel like you are neglecting your loved one, but you’re not. You should never feel guilty about asking for additional help. There is only so much you can do on your own, and if you haven’t got the relevant experience, you could be putting your loved one’s health at risk. Whether you hire a carer to come in and prep meals or deal with personal care, knowing you have support and help from others can be a big help.
Modify Their Home
As your parent gets older, the risk of slips and falls increases. Therefore, making your loved one’s home safer is vital. You can purchase anti-slip mats from a medical supply company which will protect your elderly parent. Make sure you go around their home and look for any hazards or causes for concern. You can install grip bars in their bathroom, which allow your loved one to get around with ease.
Don’t Neglect Yourself
With so much of your time being dedicated to your elderly parent, you must think about your own health and wellbeing too. Make sure you have some time for yourself. This can involve taking up a hobby, practicing relaxation techniques to destress, or getting more sleep. If you’re not in the right headspace, you may not deliver appropriate care for your elderly loved one.
When caring for an elderly parent, while it can be incredibly rewarding, there will be daily challenges you’ll face. Make sure to use the tips above as it will benefit both you and your loved one.
