Having a loved one near the end of their life is never easy. They likely will need a lot more help just getting around and maintaining themselves in their day-to-day routine. You need to be close to them in the twilight of their life. If you decide to move them into your home, you may hire a moving company to help pack or transport their belongings to your home. You may also order mailing tubes and paper cores to protect all of their important documents during the move. On the other hand, if there’s no space in your home, you may look for senior apartment complexes that can accommodate your aging loved ones.
Create Intergenerational Bonds
It’s really all about being close. While it might be easier for you to move them into an assisted-living home, you would miss out on new memories you can create together. Assisted living homes can be helpful for certain situations, but they are rarely the best option. You only get to see them as often as you visit, after all. Being at home together – even just doing menial tasks in each other’s presence – can make a world of difference. Your love and appreciation for each other will grow. Try to connect over the simple things – music, movies, small and simple activities. Ask your senior loved one about their lives, about how things have changed. Learn from their wisdom while you still can.
Make Them Feel Comfortable
Having your loved one in close proximity to those that love them means that they will get care and attention that simply wouldn’t be available in an assisted-living home. You can come to know their favorite ways to be tucked into bed, how they like to watch TV, how they need to be helped with medical maintenance, and more. In a home for the elderly, one employee might have dozens of seniors to take care of – and so will not be able to give such personal attention. You can also hire a nurse to come make hospice house calls. Hospice care can provide emotional support for your loved one in their final months of life.
Financial Practicality
Medical care is expensive – but it is also essential, and hopefully, your loved one’s medical insurance will be covering the worst of the costs. But an assisted care facility costs hundreds of dollars every month. They are expensive enough that they simply are not an option for a lot of people. While taking care of your aging family in your own home can be draining, it’s also a lot more manageable financially. The key is to find friends and family who can help support you.
All too often, senior citizens are neglected. Tragically, they can sometimes be seen as an inconvenience by an individualistic culture that values superficial success over family. But by moving your senior loved one into your home, you’ll be putting your priorities where they should be. If you also think that an assisted living facility such as the The Residences at Plainview senior living facility is needed, don’t hesitate to ask experts that can advice you about senior living options.
Check out this article on challenges that Sandwich generations face!