If you are considering the very big step of moving in an aging parent, you need to be real sure that you are mentally and emotionally prepared for what’s to come. Being the primary caregiver to your elderly parents can become overwhelming and, before you know it, you begin to question if you made the right choice.
There will be a lot of stress and frustration if you aren’t ready to manage the pressures that come with this form of responsibility. You have a lot to think about before and after the move is completed and if you have any hope of surviving a living situation that involves moving your elderly parents into your home, you need to make some necessary changes that will make this phase of your lives positive and enriching:
Establish A Routine
Creating a specific daily routine for you and your parents will be critical for maintaining a sense of balance to your lives and allow you to successfully organize and prioritize everything that needs to be accomplished throughout the week. Without a routine, tough challenges will seem all that more insurmountable and you will soon feel your life spiraling out of control.
Two things to consider, the first is that you must stick to the routine each and every day. If you do not, then you are not establishing any kind of routine. The second is that routines can soon become tiresome and you may find yourself or your parents starting to get burned out. Should that occur, you can take some small steps towards adjusting the routine but don’t make too many sweeping changes.
Find A Doctor That Is the Best Fit for You and Your Parents
As a primary caregiver you want to be sure that you have good medical help at the ready whenever you need it. You need a physician that is specially trained to diagnose and treat seniors. This sort of medical professional is better equipped to identify a problem before it becomes a serious condition.
A physician who specializes in treating geriatric patients will have a better understanding of their needs and how certain medications or treatments will affect your parents. They are also better suited to give advice on keeping your elderly parents healthy and how to care for them at home.
Maintain Your Own Well-Being
If you aren’t healthy, then you are doing your elderly parents no good. That means you need to take better care of yourself then you may have before your parents moved in. Take your diet and nutrition seriously, get plenty of sleep, stay active, and allow yourself some time to unplug from your responsibilities for even a brief period of time.
Your capacity for burnout can grow shorter if you burn the proverbial candle at both ends. Now is when you really need to take some time for yourself. If that means periodically hiring in-home senior care in Lexington, KY, for a little help, then so be it. Just as long as you stay healthy.
