Your parents raised you. They were there for every significant moment in your life, from your first steps to when you walked down the aisle. They helped you raise your own kids. They helped you in so many big and small ways right from day one. That’s why, when their age catches up with them and it is you who needs to take care of them, things can be difficult. How do you take care of someone who, for your whole life, has been by your side helping you? Follow this guide, and you’ll be able to give your parents all the support that they need.
Move Them Closer
If you have an extra room in your home, move your parents in. If you don’t, finding them a place that is close to you is your next best bet. No one wants to be carted off to a retirement home that is far from their loved ones. In fact, many people don’t want to be cared for in a retirement home at all. They lived their entire lives independently, which is why the best thing to do for them now is to support them the best way you can. If this means moving them into your own home and hiring an at-home caretaker, so be it.
Other options include a nearby apartment, or even retirement community where other independent seniors live together to better the social and quality of life for all.
Provide At-Home Care Yourself
You should also note that if your loved one has health complications that need addressing, or otherwise require extra support, it might be possible for you to be trained to provide this care. Check your local requirements, and if you can get trained and certified so that your parent can be in a familiar home surrounded by loved ones.
Be Prepared
Being legally prepared is the best way forward. This means updating the will, arranging for any funeral costs to be covered, and so on. It is difficult to do this, but doing it before their health takes a major turn for the worse means you can move past the thought of losing them, and yet still be prepared for that unfortunate eventuality. Other precautions you can take is to have your parent assign you as their executor, so that you have the legal ability to ensure that their last will and testament is adhered to as best as possible.
If you wait too long, and their health worsens, or they are otherwise unfit to make these decisions on their own, it is then up to you to apply for Court of Protection deputyship. You should do this with professionals like these court of protection solicitors in Leeds. It is a big role to fill, but as someone who loves them, you are the best candidate for the job.
From there, all that you can really do is love them and help comfort them as much as possible. Spend time with them and make their retirement as golden as possible. The more quality time you spend with them, the better.