(ThySistas.com) Life is funny because when you look at it more closely, you realize it’s turning in one massive loop. When we’re born, we are nurtured and cared for by our parents. As we get older, we find more and more independence, finding our own way as we approach the college years. We get married, grow our careers, build a family. While this is happening, often our parents lose their independence. Their bodies become weak and frail, just like babies, their minds unsure. They need more help, and many eventually reach the point where they can no longer live independently.
At this point, you have two options. You can either work to find a suitable care facility. Or, you can care for your elderly parent
yourself. This might be possible if they reach that stage just as you are moving towards retirement.
That said, this is a major decision and should not be taken lightly. You have to be prepared for the challenges, the problems. And before you even begin to move towards this decision, you need to set up your home in the right way.
Get The Medical Kit
You will need to make sure that you have the right medical kit in your home, particularly if your elderly parent is suffering from certain conditions. Care homes have many of the same treatment options as a smaller hospital, and your home should be set up similarly. You can get nebulisers online that will allow you to administer meds to your elderly parent safely if they need it. You may also want to think about making sure that you have a defibrillator. It is possible to purchase this type of equipment for your home, and it could ultimately save your elderly parent’s life one day.
Relieve Pressure
When you get to a certain age, you should think about moving to a bungalow. The reason for this is that while when you’re young walking up and downstairs is easy when you get older it can be dangerous and painful. If you do have stairs in your home, you should think about converting your house so that the bathroom and bedroom is downstairs for your elderly parent. Or, if that’s not possible, consider getting a stairlift. With this installed, you can make sure that there is no risk of a fall.
Safety
It might seem condescending or patronizing, but you might want to consider setting up your home as you would if there was a new baby there. You should think about using child locks again and putting a gate at the top of the stairs. Anything like this could help protect your parent, and it will be particularly important if they are suffering from a condition like dementia. Without the right safety precautions in place, elderly people can endanger themselves and others.
Is It Worth It?
The answer to this question is going to differ for each individual. You must remember that you will be giving your parent back some of their independence that they might have lost in a care home. But at the same time, you will be putting immense pressure on your life.
Staff Writer; Patricia Jackson