Role Reversal: Caring For Those Who Once Cared For Us

More of us than ever are living longer lives, mainly due to education about the importance of health and nutrition as well as excellent healthcare. It means more people are able to spend time with their children and grandchildren which is of course fantastic. However, it’s not all plain sailing. Even those who avoid fatal diseases and illnesses can still have trouble, and it caring for the people who once cared for us can be a strange form of role reversal.

It can be tricky to know whether our loved ones are fine living independently, or whether they need to go to a retirement community or care home. Due to personal and financial reasons, many elderly people want to stay in their own homes. However, it’s important to know whether they can successfully manage or if they need additional help. Here are some things to bear in mind.

Can They Manage Their Daily Needs?

In order to live independently, your loved one should be able to manage most of their needs by themselves. Washing, dressing, eating and using the toilet are all daily needs that they will struggle to live independently if they aren’t able to do. If they need a bit of additional help, for example, they just need to be cooked for (but can chew and eat by themselves) there are services out there that can provide cooked meals to elderly people. If they just need a little help cleaning, you could hire a maid service, or with washing a nurse could come in for an hour each morning. While these are all services that would need to be worked into their budget, it can be worth the cost if it means they don’t have to leave their home. Family members could help by fetching groceries, setting up bills to be paid online and other tasks which will make their lives that bit easier. 

Is Living Independently Safe?

Your loved one might feel physically well, and able to move around easily- but mental health is another issue to take into consideration. Dementia and Alzheimer’s are common in older adults, and as the condition progresses, it’s unlikely they will be able to live by themselves. Mental health issues have been shown to greatly increase the likelihood of falls (which can be fatal in elderly people) and other accidents and injuries. So searching for the best assisted living in Omaha, or a location near you, and moving them to a facility where they can be cared for around the clock is vital.

Are They Lonely?

Many older people feel lonely and isolated. When certain medical conditions mean you can no longer drive and you can’t easily leave the house they can end up spending a lot of time at home. One way you can care for your loved ones is to ensure their emotional needs are being met. Show them how to use social media, text messaging and Skype so it’s easy for them to stay in touch. Regular visits, whether it’s to their home or picking them up and taking them somewhere are invaluable. If you don’t live close enough for regular visits, moving them to a retirement home or community can be useful as they can socialise with others in the same age range.