Sometimes, a simple conversation is the best way to get started toward increasing the safety of an elderly loved one. Little things, like the need to be careful where they are walking, using the railing when walking down stairs, and putting the guard up once they are in bed for the night is the simplest way to prevent an injurious fall.
Of course, having extra supervision in their home is going to be helpful, too. In-home care is a great choice if your parent has needs beyond what they can easily provide on their own. As long as the caregiver is fully trained, responsible, and compassionate, having an extra set of eyes and hands in the house will go a long way toward increasing their safety and improving the quality of their life. This also requires having a conversation.
So, how should this talk go? First, it doesn’t need to be just one talk. It really shouldn’t only be one talk. It should be an ongoing dialogue between you and your parent. It should happen with some regularity, too. The more open, honest, and aware you of what your loved one’s needs and concerns are, the better able you will be when it comes to dealing with them. Also, please remember that you have a lifetime of experience with this person. You know what works best with them. Giving a specific set of rules for talking about the changing needs of elderly folk is a lost cause because what works with some people may not work with others. That’s the great thing about being close to your family; you are able to customize your conversations and approach things in a calm and loving manner.
That might be the most important thing to consider in every aspect of finding senior care. You love your parent, and this is something that needs to always be at the forefront of everything you do. It;s natural to want to care for them yourself, and you might really want to. But, most people cannot provide the high quality care that a professional can. This is something that you may want to include in your talks with your mom or dad. You love them and want the best for them, but you are not always able to provide the best care. This may be upsetting to them, but at least they will know that you do truly have their best interests at heart and that you are doing all that you can to make sure that they stay safe and healthy and happy. If you are not able to provide around the clock care on your own, there are alternatives. If you can, get their input on what types of care they are open to receiving and which they are not. The earlier and more often that you have this conversation, the better. That way, you will get a sense of what they truly want, uninhibited by memory loss or mood. It will give you a more accurate representation of how they want to spend their senior years and give them more control over their future.
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