If you have made the decision that the next step in being the most effective family caregiver possible for your aging parent is transitioning them into living in your home with you and your family, it is important that you first take the time to prepare your home. Remember that this will be at their home now, too, and you want to make sure that it is as safe, comfortable, and accessible as possible so that everyone can live comfortably and happily together.

Use these tips to help you prepare your home for your parent to move in:

  • Ensure that your parents has a private bedroom that is used only for that purpose. This will not only give them private space to sleep and to take care of themselves, but will also not compromise the use of the home by other people in the family.
  • Equip the bedroom with the proper furniture and devices to keep your parent comfortable and ensure that they can meet their personal needs as necessary. This might include having a bed with railings or that is lowered, having a toilet chair, or changing the door knobs and knobs on the dresser to make it easier for your parent if they have arthritis.
  • Decorate their area of the home so that it feels more comfortable and welcoming. Use items from their existing home as much as possible to create a space that feels unique and individual to them.
  • Identify potential hazards around the house and fix them to make the space safer for your parent.
  • Consider adding features to the home that will make it more accessible and safer for your parent, such as additional lighting, added locks, window locks and alarms, and grab bars.
  • Rearrange areas of the home so that they are more accessible for your parents. This can include making sure that the kitchen is arranged so that your parent would be able to easily access and utilize food, utensils, and equipment, or arranging the living room so that they can easily navigate it with a mobility aid if necessary.

Being a family caregiver for an elderly adult can pose a wide variety of challenges and difficulties, but fortunately home care can help. Having an in-home care provider as a part of your regular care routine with your senior can be an exceptional way to meet their needs and encourage a high quality of life for them while also easing your stress. This type of care provider can be with your parent on a schedule that works for you as well as for them, meaning that they will always have access to the care, support, and assistance that they need to manage their individual needs and challenges in the way that is right for them. This helps them to stay healthy, safe, comfortable, and happy, while also helping them to pursue a lifestyle that is as active, engaged, and independent as possible as they age in place. For you as their caregiver, this care can give you tremendous peace of mind and ease your stress, helping you to feel more confident and focus your energy and attention in the ways that are most effective and efficient for your parent and for your other responsibilities and obligations.

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregivers in Minneapolis, MN, and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.