To be responsible for the care of an elderly parent is not something that most of us envision for our lives, but this occurs in families at a scale more.
a recent article in USA Today reported a study by the Pew Research Center and the California HealthCare Foundation found that the part of American adults who are caregivers rose from 30 percent in 2010- 39 percent children in 2012. Almost two thirds of them were grown to care for their parents or in-laws
There are a number of factors contributing to this trend -. the main one being that due to better lifestyles, modern medical practices and medicines, people are living much longer than before. This puts a strain on the number of health facilities that are available to house them.
There is also the high cost of placing a relative in one of these establishments, and many families can not afford to pay for this in the long term.
apart from this, there are those whose love for their parents, and their strong sense of duty of the family, determined that they would prefer to care for their parents themselves than the put in a nursing home.
Whatever the reason, when an aging parent needs to be supported in the home of an adult child, few people are prepared for the physical, emotional and financial consequences that entails.
the emotional impact of Caring for an aging parent
to be the primary caregiver for another human being is a huge undertaking, and this is especially true when an adult child caring for an elderly parent.
to start, there is the emotional impact of the changing relationship between the parent and adult child, whose role has changed from being the treated to caregiver. For those who have always looked to their parent for support and guidance, this role reversal can come with a deep sense of loss.
A similar sense of loss can be felt by the parent, who may find it difficult to adjust to being the one who needs support rather than the giver. Aging does not take away the pride of a person, or a desire to remain independent, and many older people resist being moved out of their home.
If the situation reaches a crisis point, and the parent must be moved from their homes against their will, it adds additional stress to the situation.
medical side of things
In addition to the emotional impact of caring for an aging parent, there is the question of their general health to be considered, and this can be quite complex.
Many people who survive after 65 years with chronic medical conditions or life limiting that require a high level of care. In most cases, children who care for them do not have a good understanding of these conditions and the procedures and drugs are available to treat them.
Fortunately, there is much help to find on the Internet, which has proven to be a valuable tool for many caregivers. This proactive approach to find out what options are available to help caregivers make better decisions and gives them the confidence they need to support the management of drugs from their parents.
However, people who are considering this method of obtaining information should be aware that there are many fake websites out there. Diligence is required to ensure that the information they gather from a reputable site where the material is current and accurate.
When caring for a parent with mesothelioma, for example, you can trust the site Asbestos.com, which is full of quality, the updating of information on mesothelioma cancer. Asbestos.com also provides support and resources for individuals and families who are struggling with this disease.
The physical impact
One important thing to consider when the decision to care for an elderly parent is their mobility. If they are unable to get out of a bed or chair, for example, a certain amount of physical lifting may be involved. There is also the consideration of how self-sufficient, they are on the toilet and shower.
In all likelihood, they will at some point in the future need help in these areas, and the degree of independence will determine whether they can be left alone for long periods of time. This, in turn, will determine whether the caregiver can continue to go to work.
If the caregiver can no longer work because of the needs of the parent company, which could weigh on the financial situation of the family.
effect on relations within the household
More often than not, he is a married daughter who becomes the caregiver for an elderly parent. Being a woman, mother and caregiver is a huge undertaking, and somewhere along the line something has to give. Time spent caring for the mother means less time spent with the partner, and this can cause the relationship to suffer.
If children are still at home, this new capability extends helping him cope with the situation. As a result, they may become overwhelmed, which is somewhat surprising.
No person should be responsible for the physical and emotional well-being of everyone in the household. Each family member, including parents, should be made aware of the needs of the caregiver and work together so that the care may also be treated.
How to reduce stress
An excellent way for caregivers to avoid becoming overwhelmed or stressed is to delegate (assign) tasks to different family members. This can easily be achieved through good communication and the development of a graphic.
The table may include not only the inhabitants of the house, but also the other siblings in the family that can come around at specific times to care for parents while the primary caregiver takes precious time.
Siblings of the primary caregiver may also take other roles, such as the conduct of the parent to go to the doctor and to be with them when they have medical procedures.
These are just some of the things that other family members can do to help the manager to provide care for the mother, while at the same time running a household and take care of their own welfare.
the role of the parent
The parent, too, has a role to play. They should be aware that the child who takes care of them need time alone with their partner, and if possible, they should try to respond to it on a regular basis.
It could be as simple as retiring to their room watching TV after dinner so that the couple can relax and watch a movie together, or allow the couple to go out for dinner a times per week. Any concerns that a parent may have something happens in the absence of the caregiver can be mitigated by holding a mobile phone at hand and agreeing to appeal if necessary.
Allowing for the couple to have special time out together can make a huge difference in the couple's relationship and their relationship with the parent.
rewards Caring for an elderly parent
It is a sad reality in this day and age that many of our children are not spending any quality time with their grandparents -Parents, and in some cases they barely know them. This not only deprives the child of a wonderful friendship, but also the opportunity to discover what life was like in the past ?? someone who actually lived. They, in turn, can share their modern wonders and adventures with grandparents and enjoy the sense of wonder it brings.
There is no doubt that caring for an aging parent will bring challenges, but if it can be managed well, it can also bring many rewards - the main one being a sense of accomplishment
be ready to have your parent move with you, however, does not mean that you will feel fulfilled .. Some parents prefer to go to a nursing home where they will be surrounded by people of their age and be managed around the clock without feeling like they have become a burden to those they love.
That we as their children care for our aging parents in our own home or move to an institution they are comfortable and happy in, we owe absolutely do our best to you make sure they are OK.
If we can ensure that parents who gave us life have a good trip at the end of their lives, no price would be too high to pay.
