Have An Elderly Parent Moving In? Here Is How To Make Life Easier On You Both
Now that your parent is moving in with you to get assistance with their every day needs, you are probably looking for ways to make the transition and living situation appealing for everyone involved. After all, your parent may not be completely happy with the loss of some independence and the inability to "live by their own rules" any longer. Luckily, you can create a comfortable and convenient setting by implementing the following techniques:
Set up a Studio Apartment
A great way to provide your live-in parent with a little independence and privacy is to set their bedroom up as if it's a studio apartment. Start by putting a small table by the door to hold a hot plate and a tea kettle with a little room leftover to store snacks. Incorporate a comfortable futon or day bed into the room by putting it against the wall lengthwise so it can be used as a couch to watch television or read a book. To save space, turn a desk into an entertainment center:
- Install floating shelves above the desk to hold a DVD player and movies along with other electronics.
- Place a small shelf directly next to the desk to store books and craft items.
- Put a small flat screen monitor on the desk that can be hooked up to a computer and cable or satellite at the same time.
Not only can the entertainment space be enjoyed from afar while relaxing on the bed or couch, but it can be used as a space to draw, write, and enjoy a snack whenever the mood hits.
Encourage an Active Social Life
It's imperative for your parent to maintain an active social life. A lack of social activities may make them feel isolated and depressed. A lack of a social life also usually leads to a more sedentary lifestyle, which can result in a host of health complications such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and even a higher risk of death. You can encourage your parent to have a social with the help of these ideas:
- Host a gardening club in the backyard for you parent and neighboring elderly once a month.
- Get together at the park for a picnic with friends and the parents they are helping to take care of for.
- Volunteer with your parent within the community.
- Take a beginner's yoga or stretching class together.
These activities will enrich your parent's life and give you an opportunity to spend quality time together. You'll also have an opportunity to observe how your parent reacts to different situations so you can take notes and fine-tune their social experience as time goes on.
Consider Getting a Furry Friend
If you don't already have a pet or two at home, consider getting a cat or another small animal for your parent to take care of. There are a variety of benefits for your parent to take advantage of as a pet owner like:
- Stress relief.
- Less depression.
- Lower blood pressure.
- A deeper sense of security.
Elderly adults who take responsibility for a pet also tend to have higher self esteem and take quick advantage of social opportunities as they arise.
Hire a Home Health Aide
Face it – you don't have the time to take care of all your parent's needs every day while still maintaining a career and a clean household for your family. And the truth is that your parent probably isn't too excited about having to burden you all of the time. A solution for you both is bringing in a home health aide to provide daily care. A home health aide from a site like http://www.devotedguardians.com will help with hard things like:
- Assist with bathing and personal hygiene.
- Do light cleaning and laundry.
- Administer medication on schedule.
A home health care provider also acts as a confidant and a friend. In fact, many home aide patients come to think of their care providers as part of the family.
With the help of these techniques, resentment and frustration can be avoided so that you and your parent can enjoy all of the time you spend together.