Introduction
Your aging parents are getting older. They’ve fallen, they don’t want to be bothered as much, and they need more help than ever. This can be difficult to watch if you’re also suffering from the stress of work and raising children. You may be tempted to move your parents into your home or hire an in-home caregiver who can help them around the house. But that’s not always the best option for their health and well-being—or yours. In this guide, we’ll break down the steps that you should take before moving your parents into your home or hiring a paid caregiver so that both of you can feel comfortable with their new living situation:
Asking the right questions.
When you have your first exploration meeting with your parent, ask them about their daily routine. You want to know what they do every day, from waking up in the morning to going to bed at night. Ask if there are any issues with their health, such as chronic ailments or physical limitations that could cause them problems in an apartment building.
Ask what they think they can afford on their own and how much money they have saved up for retirement expenses (and if it will be enough). Also, ask about how much their medical bills are and whether or not they have a backup plan for paying them off in case something happens financially.
Ask about their social life; does your parent have many friends who he/she spends time with regularly? If so, it might be easier for him/her if these people live nearby so that he/she can visit often without having to travel too far away from home when he/she wants some company but doesn’t feel like leaving the house altogether just yet—or ever again!
Hire an In-Home Caregiver
If you’re thinking of hiring a caregiver, here are some steps to take:
- Research types of care and decide what kind will work best for your parents. There are many types of in-home care, including home health aides, personal care services, and companionship. You can find more information about each type at the National Association for Home Care website (naphc.org).
- Find local providers like these NDIS home care providers that match the type of service you need by checking online directories or calling your state’s department of aging. You may also want to check references from families who have used this type of service before. Ask how long they’ve been using it; how satisfied they are with the quality; whether they would recommend it; what kind of training their employees receive; and if there is any additional cost associated with having someone come over multiple times per week or month instead just one time per week or month (if applicable).
Makes a Small Prefab Home
When you think about it, a small prefab home is a perfect option for your aging parents. It gives them more privacy and independence, while also providing them with a quiet place to read their books or watch TV.
Prefab homes like these prefab homes in Perth can be built on your property or they can be moved to a new location if you’re looking for a change of scenery. In either case, there are many benefits of using modular homes as opposed to traditional construction methods:
- They are easy to build and come in different sizes and styles so that each family gets exactly what they want.
- The materials used are durable but lightweight enough not to damage foundations when moved around on trucks during transportation from one place to another; this means less stress on homeowners who may have limited mobility issues themselves!
- There aren’t any major construction delays involved because all components were prebuilt elsewhere before being assembled at home (or wherever)
Identifying their needs.
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Identifying their needs
A good place to start is by asking them what they need. They may not even realize that they want certain things, or they may have been doing something out of habit for years and now don’t know how else to do it. They might also have a hard time explaining what they want because their home life is so different than yours or theirs was before disability struck, which can make it difficult for you to know what kind of housing would suit them best.*
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What are their preferences?
It’s important not just to ask about their physical needs but also about what kinds of activities and social interactions are important for them. For example, if someone has always enjoyed cooking and hosting guests in their home but now lives alone in an apartment building with shared kitchens and common areas that aren’t accessible for people with mobility issues, then maybe having a private kitchen isn’t as much of an issue as having more space where family members could visit without feeling like intruders on top of everything else going on in the building (elevators breaking down multiple times per week). In other words: it’s important not just “how” someone wants something done but “why”.
Uncomfortable discussions.
- Discussing the topic of aging parents’ housing is often a difficult conversation to have. Many families are uncomfortable talking about this subject, especially if they’re not sure how the parent will react.
- You must have an idea of what your parent wants before you begin to discuss any options or plans for their future care.
- If your parent has made it clear that he or she does not want to move into a home or assisted living facility and would prefer to stay in his or her own house as long as possible, then there isn’t much more you can do other than help makes those remaining years comfortable for him/her. However, if he/she is open-minded about moving out of the house, it may be time for him/her to consider some different choices regarding aging parents’ housing options.
Privacy and independence.
Privacy and independence are important to older adults. This point is often overlooked, but it’s a critical factor in choosing a home for your parents.
- Housing should provide privacy
- The home should be large enough to accommodate guests and family members
- Have the right bathroom facilities!
- Visiting hours can have a big impact on your parents’ comfort level, so make sure they’re flexible enough to accommodate any visitors they might have come by.
Their ability to drive.
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a home for your aging parents is their ability to drive. If they can’t drive, then how will they get around? How will they get groceries or other necessities? How will they get to appointments and the doctor if necessary?
Their ability to handle money.
You also should consider your parents’ ability to handle money. They may be able to manage their finances right now, but it is important to plan. They may need help with finances in the future, especially if they live with you. If they move into a nursing home, they will have access to certain services through the facility that would allow them to pay bills online and purchase items such as food or clothing using their monthly allowance.
If your parents are not able to handle their money, then there are other options available for them such as receiving an annuity from Social Security or Life Insurance benefits upon death, as well as receiving funds from Medicaid which provides long-term care assistance if necessary
Changes in their appearance.
A lot of changes happen as we age. Some are obvious, like loss of hair, changes in weight and posture, or skin tone. But some aren’t so obvious; for example, your parent may have difficulty picking up on new sights and sounds around them. When you see these changes happening in their appearance, it could be time to start thinking about moving them into a senior living community.
Moving them into your home.
- Ask them what they want.
- Find out what they need.
- Find out what they like to do.
- Make sure they have their own space, such as a bedroom and bathroom of their own.
- Make sure they have their kitchen so that you can both cook independently of each other if necessary.
Your aging parents may have to change their living situation for the best of their health and well-being
It is important to plan ahead of time when your aging parents need to change their living situation for their health and well-being. It can be a difficult transition for both you and them, but these tips will help make sure you are making the right decision.
- Talk to your aging parents about this in person. They might not want their children involved at first, so let them decide when they’re ready.
- Help them feel comfortable with their new surroundings by decorating with pictures from home or other familiar items they like (like plants). This will help bring back happy memories as well as reduce stress during the transition period.
- Make sure there’s an emergency contact card on file at each location so no one has any doubts about who should be contacted if something goes wrong while they’re alone in their new place
Conclusion
As you can see, it’s not always easy to decide what is right for your aging parent. But by asking the right questions and considering their needs carefully, you’ll be able to make a decision that works for everyone involved.
