Looking after your family can be hard enough at times. However, if you’re also looking after your elderly parents, life can seem rather busy. The good news is that with a bit of organization, you too can look after your elderly parents and your family.
Know How Much Care Is Required
How much care do you need to give your parents? Can they live in your home or close by with little need for care? Do you need to give your parents a lot of care and have fall prevention and other mobility measures in place?
Knowing how much care you need to give to your parents can help you to:
• Organize your time more effectively
• Understand if you need help
• Ensure your parents get all of the care they need
• Work out how much time you have to look after your family
You may have to consider asking for outside help. This is perfectly OK and is by no means a sign of failure. When you ask for outside help, you’re saying that you care about your parents. You want them to have the best care possible, and bringing someone in to help can make this achievable.
Tell Your Family You Need Support
If you’re providing care to your elderly parents in addition to your family, you will need support. Caring for multiple people at once can be hard.
You may need support so that you’re not left doing all of the work. Ask for help from your family, including those who live with you and those who don’t.
Move Your Elderly Parents Into Your Home
If it’s entirely feasible and you have enough space, consider moving your parents into your home.
Ideally, they will share one room and have access to the rest of your home. Your children should still have their own bedrooms and have enough space to play.
Moving your elderly parents into your home can make caring for them easier. Consider moving them in if you have the space and your partner is happy about it.
Make Sure Your Children Are Cared For
Ideally, you will still be able to look after your children as much as you always have. If you’re concerned that you won’t have as much time, consider doing the following:
• Asking your partner to help you more
• Encouraging your children to join school clubs so they’re not sitting at home as much
• Asking your family and friends to provide more care for your children
• Asking your children if they are concerned about you being a little busier
Depending on the age of your children, you could encourage independence. Teenagers are likely to be happy with more independence. However, if you have young children or children with disabilities, you’ll need to make sure they always receive the care they need.
Speak To Your Parents About Their Care
Speak to your parents about the level of care you want to offer. Their daily lives will be affected by how much care they receive.
Your parents need to have a say in the care you provide if any. Some parents won’t want their children to care for them, this is normal. Others would be more than happy to live with you so you can be there for them.
Regardless of your elderly parent’s health, it’s important you ask for their opinion. Doing so will give them more autonomy and show that you care.
Do Things As A Family
One of the most important things you can do is to do things as a family. When you all get together and have fun, everyone feels more connected.
When your children spend time with your parents, they will grow to love them more.
When your parents spend time with your children, they will nurture them more.
Doing this as a family can be a lot of fun, but it can also help to build connections.
Look After Yourself
When you’re looking after at least one other person, you need to look after yourself. Give yourself time to indulge in your hobbies and take time out. When you look after yourself, you can take better care of others.
It is possible for you to look after your elderly parents and your family. Use the above tips to help you make your life easier.
It’s only natural to want to care for those you love. However, you may need to ask for help. Understand that it’s OK to do so as it means your parents and your children will get the care they need.
