Is It Time For Your Parents to Make the “Big Move? An Easy Guide to Help You Decide If Your Parent Can Still Live at Home
You’re concerned, now that your parents are growing older. Home chores are piling up. You’re starting to wonder, should Dad still be driving?
What if your mom’s home all alone—is she safe? You worry about break-ins, falls, being accidently locked out of her house, or a car accident.
Below is a list of critical questions you should ask yourself, preferably while walking through your parents’ home. Or you can let us conduct a free, extensive home evaluation. Call 888-545-4846 to set up a free appointment for a home evaluation visit.
How do you know if your parent can still live independently? Consider the following questions:
1. How does your mom or dad look and act? Has their weight or overall appearance changed recently? Spend some real time visiting your parents and pay attention to the little things.
(www.feddesk.com/freehandbooks/1014-4.pdf)
2. How active are your parents? Do they have mobility issues? Can they walk through their house and yard with relative ease? Is there something you could add, repair, or change that would make their home safer? A stair lift? A lift chair?
3. Do you parents have friends, neighbors, church members or community friends who check on them?
4. Can your parents still drive safely, or is there a convenient driving alternative within their community?
5. How is their overall mood? Do you call them every day? How do they sound on the phone? Be aware of the signs of elder depression.
6. Do they have a regular routine? Church? Bingo? Do they have things to look forward to?
7. Can your parent manage their meals and meds? Do they stay current on their doctor appointments and medications?
8. Have you check on your parent’s finances? Be sure to check their bank statement, other accounts, and their checkbook—just to make sure they reconcile their monthly accounts.
9. Does someone live nearby who can drop by and check on them often?
10. Have you asked them what they want? Can they use some additional home help? (www.seniornet.org)
If your parents can manage their lives, even with a little bit of assistance and still live independently, it might be wise to allow them to continue to stay at home. Many issues have solutions, and most elders have a difficult time adjusting to a move—so save “the big move” for the right time when it’s really necessary and do your homework. Take your time and find the right fit for your parent—whether it’s in your home, an assisted living facility, or staying in their own home with added help—be considerate and take in account their needs and preferences. Being a family member and caregiver means finding what’s the best scenario—for everyone.
Living Free Home offers all kinds of solutions to increase your parents’ time living comfortable and safely in their home. Larger items like lift chairs, stair lifts, ramps, and vehicle lifts make a big difference. Smaller items can also make life easier – like extended reach devices for kitchen shelves. This handy device will make sure your parents never have to stand on a chair, dangerously reaching for high-up shelves.
Our aids to daily living, incontinence products, bath products and other accessories will also make the little things easier to handle. Living Free Home has thought of everything to make a longer stay in the home easier and safer. Click the links above to learn more.
