2022-08-04 05:40:01
You've noticed recent changes in your father, and... he told you that he forgot to take food out of the roaster, which resulted in a kitchen fire. Fortunately, he had a fire extinguisher and was able to put out the fire himself, resulting in just minor damage to the roaster and one wall. But what if he'd gone to bed and something horrible occurred? Maybe it's time to have "the conversation."
As we age, it becomes more important to have conversations about aging in place – what that means for us, and how to make it happen. Here are four tips to make sure those conversations are productive, positive, and respectful.
1. Talk about it early and often
The earlier you start conversations about aging in place, the better. That way, everyone has time to think about what they want and need and to make plans accordingly. Plus, it can help prevent difficult conversations from being put off until a crisis arises.
2. Be honest about your wishes
It can be difficult to be honest about our wishes for the future, especially when it comes to aging. But it’s important to be clear about what you want, whether that’s staying in your home as long as possible, moving to a smaller home, or something else entirely like hiring an elderly sitter.
3. Respect each other’s wishes
Even if you don’t agree on what aging in place looks like, it’s important to respect each other’s wishes. This can be a difficult conversation, but it’s important to remember that you both have different needs and perspectives.
4. Seek professional help
If you're like many people, you probably want your elderly loved ones to age in place, rather than move to a nursing home or an assisted living facility. But as your loved ones age, their medical needs may change and become more complex. This can make it difficult for you to manage their personal care on your own.
That's why it's important to talk to your loved ones' medical care team about aging in place. By doing so, you can get the information and support you need to help your loved ones age safely and comfortably at home.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when talking to your loved ones' medical care team about aging in place:
1. Be prepared to discuss your loved ones' medical needs.
Before you meet with your loved ones' medical care team, take some time to think about their medical needs. What health conditions do they have? What medications do they take? What medical appointments do they have?
Having this information on hand will help you have a productive conversation with the medical care team.
2. Ask about community resources.
Here are a list of resources with a link to their website for more in-depth help with aging in place.
Department of Elder Affairs: https://elderaffairs.org/
National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-place-growing-older-home
National Council On Aging: https://www.ncoa.org/
This is one of the best things you can do to support your loved ones as they age.
To see if an in-home senior companion is right for you or your family member please call for your FREE in home consultation at (407) 767-8852