Caring for an Aging Parent When You’re an Only Child
When you’re an only child, it might seem as if the responsibility of caring for both your aging parents falls on you alone. And if your parents have some health issues as well, then caring for them both can be a source of anxiety.
The first step in successfully caring for your parent or parents is to understand that it’s perfectly normal to be anxious about making sure that they have the care they need. Additionally, if you don’t automatically know the best way to take care of them, this doesn’t mean that you are not performing your duty as their child.
Caring for Your Aging Parents on Your Own
There are a number of options open to you when it comes to taking care of an aging parent. If you’re not working full-time, then you can choose to perform household chores and help your parents out on a daily basis.
But this is not a viable option for people who have to work full-time. And even if you are only working part-time or not working at all, it helps to have some help for those times when you are desperately in need of me-time.
Employing a Part-Time or Full-Time Caregiver
A caregiver who comes to your house every day for a certain number of hours and helps out with whatever your senior needs to do—from everyday chores to short outings—can be very helpful. A caregiver will make sure that your parent has some company. They’ll also be skilled at helping seniors with tasks that they can’t perform on their own, such as going to the bathroom or getting dressed, in an efficient way so that the senior doesn’t feel awkward.
An Assisted Living/Memory Care Home
Another great option is to look into an assisted living home where your senior will have a room and be cared for around the clock. The advantage of such homes is that there will be several other seniors living there, thus giving your parent a bit of a social life with his/her peers. And, of course, you’ll be able to visit your parent on a regular basis and get updates on him/her whenever you wish.
When you’re an only child and unable to care for your aging parent all by yourself, an assisted living home can give you the help you need. With its beautiful surroundings and professional caregivers, an assisted living home can help your aging parent to lead a fuller, richer life.
Contact us to learn more about the options open to you when you’re an only child caring for an aging parent.