A Guide to Helping Your Parents When Only One of Them Needs Senior Care

Senior care options have expanded in recent years, but it can still be a stressful, frustrating process to help a parent find the right senior facility or nursing home. When only one parent needs care, it can be even more challenging. How do you ensure that both your loved ones have everything they need? There are several ways you can find a good balance, such as taking some of the burden out of daily tasks for the parent who still lives at home. Providing healthy meal delivery with Global Meals, hiring a housekeeper to come in once a week to clean, and showing your parent how to download helpful apps are just a few things you can do. You can also assist with financial planning and healthy living goals.

Free up some funds

Senior facilities provide various levels of care, and the cost also varies. If your parents are worried about footing the bill for long-term care, talk to them about selling their house, which comes with several possible benefits. If they’re looking for a cash infusion, selling could provide a nice lump sum. It could also allow for a downsize for your other parent, which will save money and ensure a safe and healthy aging-in-place lifestyle for as long as they feel comfortable living alone. Help your loved ones calculate their home equity by subtracting the amount they owe on the mortgage from the property’s current value. Evaluate the benefits of buying a smaller home versus moving into an apartment or condo, both of which have different advantages.

Find the right living option

Once your loved ones have their finances in order, you can help them decide on the right facility by comparing prices, services, and locations. Ideally, the right spot will be close to you or your other parent, but sometimes this isn’t possible. In this case, you might need to evaluate the amount of care your loved one will need if you and your family members can’t be there often. Don’t forget to take a look at Medicare and other health insurance options to see what might be covered. Make a list of relevant questions to ask on facility tours, including whether your loved one will be able to keep their own car (if they’re able to drive) and how they’ll access emergency medical services if necessary.

Help with a smooth transition

Moving to a senior care facility is a huge adjustment for everyone involved, but you can help make it a smooth transition by ensuring that your loved one has some of their favorite comforts from home at their new place, such as familiar bedding, a favorite activity, or a beloved piece of furniture. For the parent still living at home, help out with their daily needs by offering to hire services that will make things like taking care of pets, cooking healthy meals, and cleaning the house easier. Assist them with downloading helpful apps that will remind them to take medication or help with communication, and give a little tutorial so they feel comfortable using them. It’s also important to keep up with their mental and physical health to make sure their needs are continually being met.

Remain patient

Because the transition can be so difficult, it’s important to try to remain patient with your loved ones throughout the process. Sometimes, family members take the brunt of frustration and stress when older adults are forced to make these kinds of changes. Remember that you’re only one person who can do just so much. This is why utilizing services and apps is so important — because it makes things easier for everyone.

Helping your parents with such a major life change can be stressful. Remember to practice self-care as much as possible and talk to other family members about how they can help. With the right resources, you can assist with a move to senior care without it taking a toll on your mental health.

Interested in learning more about Global Meals or setting up delivery? Get in touch.

Guest Writer: Annabelle Harris of elders.center
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