Things to Consider When Transitioning Your Parents to In-Home Care

There comes a time in life where our parents are no longer able to care for us as they did when we were younger. In some cases, they aren’t able to care for themselves, and it becomes necessary for us to step in and get them the care they need.

Moving your parents to a care home might feel cruel since they will be in unfamiliar territory and surrounded by unfamiliar faces most of the time. While you may consider moving in with your parents to ease the burden that aging has placed on them, this might not always be an option.

Luckily, options such as in-home care exist. This is a way to get your aging parents the care they need in the comfort of their own home. While they may need to get used to a new face, the environment does not change. Here are some things to consider when transitioning your parents to in-home care:

What is in-home care?

In-home care means that you hire a qualified healthcare provider, such as a nurse, to provide care to your aging parents in their own home. Services provided by these caregivers will vary, and you can choose the right caregiver and services for your parents’ needs.

Home care provides numerous advantages. You get to decide how much care your aging parent receives. If your parents only need help around the house when they are awake, you can schedule your caregiver in this way. Similarly, if your parent needs to be cared for 24 hours a day, you can find caregiving services that provide for this.

Finding a caregiver is made much easier by Tandem Careplanning. You are able to find the right caregiver for your needs through the agency. All you need to do is supply the information about what you are looking for, and the agency does the rest. This includes finding the right caregiver, offering support, and taking care of the payment. You do not need to hand over cash to the caregiver you choose.

Budgeting concerns

Something to consider when getting in-home care for your aging parents is whether you can afford it. Often medical insurance will not cover the full cost, and that becomes someone else’s burden.

Rearranging your budget may not be a simple process, but it is necessary. Choosing the right care package to best balance out your budget and your parents’ needs might be necessary.

If you want 24-hour care, but can only afford a dayshift caregiver, it might be necessary for you to take on the responsibility of the additional hours by moving in with your parents. While it might restrict your freedom, it might not be for a long time and it is important to cherish whatever time you still have with them.

Physical, mental, and emotional preparations

While you might be ready to bring in a caregiver, you need to prepare your parents. They need to know that you will no longer be the primary caregiver. Speak to them about your plans and your reasoning.

Allow them time to transition. Having a new, unfamiliar face around the house every day might not be a big deal for you, but for older parents, it may take some time to adjust. Allowing your parents the time to adjust is what will help them build a positive relationship with the caregiver.

Finally, make sure the house is safe for your elderly parents. Remove all trip hazards and make sure every slippery surface has a grip-mat. Even with round-the-clock care, accidents can happen and you want to make this as unlikely as possible.