Helping Your Aging Parents Through 4 Stages of Their Golden Years
As our parents age, we want to ensure that they receive the right care and support they need. Aging comes with unique challenges that every family must address. There are different stages to go through in helping your aging parents, and it can be a strenuous process to help them cope with the changes that will come. In this blog post, we cover the four stages of assisted living and how you can help your parents through each one.
Stage One: Installing Assisted Living Technology in Their Home
The first stage in assisted living starts with installing assistive technology in your parents’ home. Examples of technology that may be needed include handrails in the bathroom, motion sensor lights to illuminate dark areas, and placing non-slip materials on the stairs. Since you won’t always be available to focus on helping your aging parents, assisted living technology provides the needed support to make your parents feel safe and secure in their homes without needing immediate home care.
Stage Two: Getting Home Care from a Service Provider
As your parents continue to age, they may require assistance with daily living activities such as cooking, cleaning, and running errands. In such cases, you may need to hire a professional home care service provider. Home care services can provide your parents with personal care assistance while ensuring that they remain in their beloved home. However, it is essential to involve your parents in selecting a home care services provider to maximize their comfort and satisfaction.
Stage Three: Moving to an Assisted Living Facility
At some point, our loved ones may require full-time support that they can no longer receive while living at home. This is the time to consider a move to an assisted living facility. Assisted living facilities provide room, board, and personal care services while offering an array of social activities and medical services. If you decide to move your parents into an assisted or senior living facility, ensure that the facility adequately caters to their medical and social needs.
Stage Four: Hospice Care
Hospice care is commonly recommended when a patient has a terminal illness or a chronic medical condition that requires specialized care. Hospice care aims to provide the necessary support for an individual to live their final days in comfort and peace. When helping your aging parents in this way, be sure to work closely with the hospice care providers to ensure that your loved one receives optimal care and that their pain, symptoms, and emotional needs are adequately addressed.
Our parents take care of us as we grow up, and as they reach their golden years, it is only natural that we reciprocate the love and care they’ve shown us. The four stages of assisted living are a reality for all families as they age, and it is vital to be aware of them. As you go through each stage, ensure that you work with them to make sure you’re helping your aging parents as best as you can to meet their needs. By investing in assisted living technology, home care services, assisted living facilities, and hospice care, you can help ensure that your parents remain safe and comfortable throughout their lives.
