7 Tips to Adjust to Living With Elderly Parents
Living with elderly parents can be a difficult adjustment for both parties, but there are some things you can do to make the transition smoother. Here are seven tips to help you adjust to living with elderly parents:
- Respect rules and boundaries
- Have regular conversations
- Get to know their friends
- Manage household chores fairly
- Provide assistance when needed
- Rely on technology for help
- Take time for yourself
Respect Rules and Boundaries
Every family is different, so it’s important to learn to respect specific rules and boundaries with all involved. You will also want to ensure that all people living in the residence respect the privacy of others in the home.
Have Regular Conversations
Check in with your elderly parent(s) regularly and ask how they’re doing physically and mentally. Have conversations about topics that matter to them, like current events or things going on in the community. If they have trouble communicating due to physical or mental limitations, try seeing if there are activities or games you can enjoy together as a form of communication instead.
Get To Know Their Friends
Getting acquainted with your elderly parents’ friends will help build relationships between everyone involved in day-to-day living arrangements more quickly. This can also give insight into who your elderly parents are as people outside their role at home as caregivers, which can lead to better understanding between all involved parties. Introducing new people into the mix is a good way to keep conversations fresh.
Manage Household Chores Fairly
Living together means certain household responsibilities need to be taken care of by everyone involved for life to run smoothly — however it should be done fairly across all family members regardless of age differences between them. Find out exactly what each person’s expected chores are (or should be), set up a system for keeping track of who does, what, and when, and follow through on it consistently so that one person doesn’t become overburdened with extra tasks simply because of their age or stature within the family structure.
Provide Assistance When Needed
It may feel awkward at first but providing assistance when needed is an important part of living with elderly parents — especially if they have any physical limitations that make tasks difficult for them, such as cooking meals or transportation needs, like getting groceries or doctor appointments taken care of on time. Offer help whenever possible but also ensure that your elderly parent(s) know they can refuse your assistance if they choose not to accept it at any given time — respect their wishes.
Rely on Technology for Help
There’s a wide range of technology available these days specifically designed to help seniors stay connected with loved ones while also providing additional support, such as medication reminders and daily activity tracking tools, like fitness monitors or fall detection systems that alert emergency responders when needed. Consider investing in some technology tools for added peace of mind, knowing that someone will always be looking out for your aging family member even if you can’t always be around physically due to other commitments or obligations elsewhere.
Take Time for Yourself
Don’t forget about yourself while transitioning into living with an elderly parent. Taking time out for self-care is vital. Make sure you find ways every day (even small ones) to relax and decompress from any stressors associated with the transition process so that you don’t become too overwhelmed by it all over time. Whether this might be reading a book before bed each night, taking a long walk around the neighborhood during lunch breaks, indulging in hobbies like painting or gardening, or whatever may interest you, do not overlook self-care when your parent or parents move into your home.
Is Assisted Living a Better Option for Your Parent, for You, and Your Family?
Assisted living is an increasingly popular option for seniors and their families looking for a quality of life that balances independence and care. For some, the idea of assisted living proves to be a better choice than having elderly parents live with you. It offers a secure environment while still allowing seniors to maintain their autonomy.
In assisted living, seniors can access the care they need in the comfort of their homes. They can move about without fear of getting lost or injured and access a range of activities, such as exercise classes, social gatherings, and games. It allows them to socialize with peers who share similar interests and experiences. Most communities offer amenities like library services, movie nights, art classes, field trips, religious services, and much more.
One major factor that makes assisted living more attractive than having elderly parents live with you is the cost. Assisted living communities offer various options, such as private rooms or apartments with a monthly rent that varies depending on the facility’s location and size. Some communities may even include meals in the cost, which can help reduce overall expenses related to food costs. Additionally, many senior care facilities offer family members discounts or payment plans that make it easier for them to pay for the care their loved one needs without breaking the bank.
Another benefit associated with assisted living is support from qualified caregivers, including nurses and physicians who understand how to provide seniors with specialized attention tailored to their needs. This level of personalized care often gives peace of mind to seniors and families because they know their loved one will get quality medical help if needed and assistance with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, or managing medications.
Finally, having your elderly parents live in an assisted living community can give you peace of mind knowing that they are safe and surrounded by people dedicated specifically toward keeping them healthy and happy day-to-day, rather than relying solely on family members who may not be able to give round-the-clock attention due to other commitments, like work or school obligations outside the home. Overall, when making decisions regarding how best to manage elder care responsibilities, there is no one size fits all solution. However, it is important that families thoroughly consider all options available before making educated decisions about which option is best suited for their particular situation. Assisted living has become vastly more accessible over time due to its affordability compared to other forms of senior care, so it might be worth considering when assessing the pros versus cons between this type of housing arrangement versus providing elderly parents a place in their own home.