Caring for an aging spouse is a labor of love, but it can be mentally, physically and emotionally draining. Thankfully, as a spousal caregiver there are several proven ways to manage your own health while caring for your partner.
If you’re like most seniors, you want to continue aging comfortably in place right at home for as long as possible, but for many, remaining at home eventually requires some outside assistance. Here’s how to know when it’s the right time for you.
Now that you’re in your late 70s, it’s become harder just to get around. Routine daily activities are now difficult, and your doctor mentioned recently it may be time to give up the car keys. The house is a mess, you just fell (again) in the bathroom, and preparing healthy meals for one just doesn’t make sense. You decided long ago not to be a burden to your kids, but you also want to continue enjoying the comfort and freedom living at home affords you. Is it seriously time to consider some caregiving assistance?
Lately you’ve noticed something isn’t quite right with mom, notably that she seems lonely and depressed. And, that’s got you down too because you feel like you’re not adequately meeting her senior needs. The truth is there are many non-physical caregiving ways to help improve a senior’s mental wellbeing. Here are a few of the better ones to try.
Your elderly father has lived by himself at home ever since your mother passed away several years ago. Although he loves the freedom and independence aging in place affords him, lately you’ve noticed that living alone has become a challenge due to his deteriorating health. You’re contemplating asking him to move into your home so that you can monitor his activities and provide care when needed. But caring for an aging parent in your home presents its own unique set of challenges which you will need to carefully consider first.
You love your aging parents dearly, and are glad they’re both still living independently in the home you grew up in. Nothing would make you happier than to see them continue aging in place gracefully right where they are, enjoying one another’s company. But you also want them to be safe and healthy and it’s starting to concern you. You’ve been trying to think of ways to help ensure their aging in place continues, but it’s been hard. To assist your efforts, here are some ideas for keeping your senior parents living comfortably at home.
When serving as a spousal caregiver, you won’t be able to continue caring for an ill spouse if you get injured, become ill or disabled yourself. That’s why it’s so important to know your limitations. If you’re not careful as a caregiver, the marital happiness you once enjoyed can slip into feelings of duty, sadness and even resentment. When caring for an ill spouse, not feeling constantly overwhelmed requires taking several steps to ensure you’re able to provide the love and comfort your partner needs as you work together through life’s inevitable challenges.
Millions of Americans work very hard serving as caregivers to keep their elderly parents aging in place at home. But trying to juggle your parents’ at-home care requirements with an already busy lifestyle can get overwhelming. To help lighten your workload, here are some proven ways to help keep your elderly parents aging in place at home for as long as possible.
