As your parents age, it’s important to make sure they are well cared for. As well as helping them to maintain their independence, you also need to ensure they are safe and well looked after. There are many options for senior care and many things you can do to help you figure out the best option for you and your parent.

Elderly parent

Here are a few tips to help you determine what type of care your parent should have:

Consider their needs

The first thing to do when deciding what kind of care a parent may need is to fully assess their needs. Do they have any medical issues, or need to visit certain clinics like this primary care medical practice level of care your parent may need, you need to consider what exactly they need assistance with and whether it is specialized medical care that they need or just help with day-to-day tasks. Start with the basics, and then review more specialized medical and home needs.

Help where you can

Many seniors want to maintain their independence for as long as possible. This is understandable, and if you think it is safe to do so, you should encourage and assist with this where you can. As your parent gets older, they may struggle with more laborious tasks, such as grocery shopping or home maintenance. If you have the time, ability, and are nearby to your parent, it’s a good idea to offer to help with more difficult tasks such as these to prevent your parent from overstraining themselves.

Know when to ask for help

Looking after an aging parent can be a difficult task. The responsibility shouldn’t fall entirely to you, so if there are any other family members, friends, or neighbors that may be willing and able to help care for your parent, give them a call.

If there isn’t anyone else available, or if your parent’s needs start to increase, home care is a good option. This involves trained carers coming into your parent’s home, anywhere from once a day to four times a day, to assist them with routine tasks such as taking their medication and preparing meals. Look for qualified and trustworthy professional caregivers such as those from the Philadelphia home care agency to help care for your parent.

Weigh up possible residential options

If you feel your parent needs a higher level of care than you or a home carer can provide, there are several residential options. If your parent needs a high level of care, there are various luxury care homes that can provide them with the care they need, as well as social and recreational activities, high-quality food, and comfortable living quarters. If your parent does not have any complex medical needs but simply needs to have care on hand to help with daily tasks, assisted living may also be a suitable option. Assisted living typically involves residents living in their own apartment in a community with other seniors and carers constantly on site. This provides your parent with day-to-day care while still giving them plenty of independence. 

Ask your parent what they want

Before you make any decisions, it’s important to find out what your parent wants. Are they comfortable with moving into a residential home, or would they prefer to stay in their own home? Of course, you also have to take into account their care needs, and sometimes it is simply not safe for a senior to stay in their own home if they need a high level of care. If you feel your parent needs the level of care provided by a residential home, but they are hesitant, run through the options with them and address any concerns they have.