Dealing With A Parent Who Wants To Stay Independent
It would be lovely if everything was as cut and dry as you and your parent coming to an agreement that they need help and you will help them, but it is rarely that simple. Knowing what to do when a parent is fighting against losing their independence is very hard, particularly when they are in danger and need practical help most of the time. If they used to drive, for instance, it is so hard to help them come to terms with the fact they aren’t safe to drive anymore. Having conversations early is important so you both know what you would like to achieve when the need arises to think about care options. Most parents don’t expect you to give up your home to accommodate them.
Adapting Your Home To Suit Your Aging Parent
Your home is very personal to you, decorated and laid out how you like it. Letting somebody into your home who needs the home adapted to their needs along with special equipment and strangers being present for specialist care jobs, can be very hard for everybody to come to terms with. If an elderly parent is supported to remain in their own home, many of these adaptations can been accessed for free via the NHS and a referral to an Occupational Therapist.
Struggling With The Health Issues of Your Aging Parent
When a parent has health issues that cause them to be aggressive towards other members of the family, or to behave unpredictably, it can be hard to explain to younger children why this is happening, and to protect them from the verbal abuse they may receive or help them to cope with certain behaviour the have not been in close proximity to before. But it can help to remind them that you parent is also their grandparent, that they love them and, most importantly that their behaviour is usually outside their control. As with adults caring for older people, especially where their mental capabiloties are impaired, there are a range of strategies to minimise certain behaviour and cope with difficult behaviour.
These are just some of the many practical challenges you may run into when looking after a parent, and of course these problems can change and apply to different scenarios, such as you moving in with your parent. There are many benefits to looking after a parent, but it is also worth ensuring you have considered other options such as live-in care to make sure you and your parent are making the best possible choice for all involved.
Most important, is that you and your parent look at all the options available to you. Live-In Care enables people to stay in their own home for as long as they would like to. Many people just don’t realise that this is an option.