Caring for an Aging Parent

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As U.S. Census Bureau reports can attest, the number of older adults in the United States is growing. Thanks to advances in medicine and an attitudinal shift toward healthier lifestyles, people are living longer, and the growing number of seniors is a testament to that.

Still, the exploding senior population has also resulted in a growing number of adults caring for older adults. The recent economic struggles have also added to this number, as many adults have found that nursing homes or assisted living centers are no longer affordable in these tough times. For adults faced with the responsibility of caring for an aging parent, consider the following tips to make sure the transitions goes as smoothly as possible.

* Be prepared. While not all aging parents will need to move in with their sons or daughters as they get older, many will. Preparing for this possibility well in advance can make the process go much more smoothly. Don't wait until parents' health deteriorates to the point where options will be limited. Also, by planning ahead, you're able to consider what your parents want, whereas waiting too late can limit their input and possibly lessen their quality of life as a result.

* Discuss the situation with your own family. Another way to make the transition go smoothly is to prepare your children for the changes that could come once their grandmother or grandfather moves in. Seek children's input regardless of how young they are. Doing so will make them feel better about the process. For example, rather than telling a child that grandma will be taking their bedroom, ask them how they would feel if they were asked to move rooms, and explain to them the need for sacrifice for everyone. By including them in the decision-making process you're letting them know their views matter, which is often a problem when parents don't discuss the issue with children beforehand.

* Be sure your home is safe. Certain things are safe for young adults and children but much less so for seniors. For example, bathrooms are often danger zones for seniors, and slipping and falling can prove disastrous for seniors. Consider installing handrails in the shower to make things safer for seniors. Other easy ways to make a home safer for seniors is to use higher wattage light bulbs to increase visibility, securing throw rugs to reduce the likelihood of slipping, and converting a first floor room into a bedroom to make it easier for seniors to get around the house and lessen their load.