Caring for an elderly parent or another relative is a noble cause. However, it can also be overwhelming for most people. You will have to balance your job, your children, and home life while taking care of an elderly relative. Yes, it’s hard. However, that shouldn’t stop you from looking after your own. Here are several tips that will help you look after an elderly relative at home:
Buy Support Items
When you have children, you buy special items for kids. Likewise, you will also need to buy special items to make your elderly relative’s life more comfortable. For example, you will need handlebars and non-slip mats for the bathroom. You might also need to shop for items like lift chairs Sydney. Most elderly people suffer from ailments like chronic back pain. So it’s difficult for them to use regular furniture and be comfortable. Therefore, you will need to provide them with the necessary alternatives. If buying senior support items is too expensive for you, consider buying these used. You can also contact local senior support groups for items you may be able to rent or buy for a lot less than the retail price.
Show Them How to Get in Touch with You
As we all know, senior citizens are terrible with modern technology. So, you will have to teach your elderly relative how to use a modern digital phone, or a computer in order to get in touch with you. Buy your relative a traditional mobile phone with a physical keyboard as well, in case he or she forgets how to use a touchscreen phone. Your relative should be provided with the necessary gadgets to call emergency services, or you, in case of a problem. If the relative is somehow unable to do this, you should arrange for someone to do it on behalf of the elderly person.
Get Help
It’s impossible to take care of an elderly person on your own nowadays. Remember that you will be out of the house working most of the time. If you have children, you may have to spend afternoons with them taking them to after-school activities and so on. Taking care of an elderly relative shouldn’t ruin your social life either. So, ask for help when things become too much for you. Ask for a friend or another relative to look after your elderly relative for an afternoon or an evening, so you can enjoy a break. Join local support groups for moral support when things get hard. If you have the money, hire a helper to stay with your relative when you are not home.
Talk With the Relative
Taking care of an elderly relative can be stressful. Sometimes, this stress can be intensified if the elderly relative doesn’t like the way he or she is being taken care of. So, don’t forget to communicate with that person. Consider the comfort and convenience of both your relative and you before making a decision. For example, your relative might not like the help you have hired. In such a situation, you should think about finding new help. However, you can also gently explain to the relative that this is the best you can afford at the moment. Communication is key to make this arrangement work.
Don’t let the money and emotions involved overwhelm you. After all, you are answering a higher calling. Follow the above tips and your household should be fine.