By : Robert J . Casañas , M . D .
Caring for an Aging Parent
As U . S . Census Bureau reports can attest , the number of older adults in the United States is growing . Thanks to advances in medicine and an attitudinal shift toward healthier lifestyles , people are living longer , and the growing number of seniors is a testament to that .
Still , the exploding senior population has also resulted in a growing number of adults caring for older adults . The recent economic struggles have also added to this number , as many adults have found that nursing homes or assisted living centers are no longer affordable in these tough times . For adults faced with the responsibility of caring for an aging parent , consider the following tips to make sure the transitions goes as smoothly as possible .
* Be prepared . While not all aging parents will need to move in with their sons or daughters as they get older , many will . Preparing for this possibility well in advance can make the process go much more smoothly . Don ’ t wait until parents ’ health deteriorates to the point where options will be limited . Also , by planning ahead , you ’ re able to consider what your parents want , whereas waiting too late can limit their input and possibly lessen their quality of life as a result .
* Discuss the situation with your own family . Another way to make the transition go smoothly is to prepare your children for the changes that could come once their grandmother or grandfather moves in . Seek children ’ s input regardless of how young they are . Doing so will make them feel better about the process . For example , rather than telling a child that grandma will be taking their bedroom , ask them how they would feel if they were asked to move rooms , and explain to them the need for sacrifice for everyone . By including them in the decision-making process you ’ re letting them know their views matter , which is often a problem when parents don ’ t discuss the issue with children beforehand .
* Be sure your home is safe . Certain things are safe for young adults and children but much less so for seniors . For example , bathrooms are often danger zones for seniors , and slipping and falling can prove disastrous for seniors . Consider installing handrails in the shower to make things safer for seniors . Other easy ways to make a home safer for seniors is to use higher wattage light bulbs to increase visibility , securing throw rugs to reduce the likelihood of slipping , and converting a first floor room into a bedroom to make it easier for seniors to get around the house and lessen their load .
This feature is sponsored by : ContextoLatino . com Dr . Casañas is a Board Certified Internist and Board Certified Pain Management specialist . Dr . Casañas practices out of two offices , Unicorn Medical Office in West Tampa and Lunasol Institute in Westchase . Submit your question for Dr . Casañas by emailing him at : AskElDoctor @ thelatinvillage . com or contact him directly at 813-792-5730 .