Many of you know that my Mom, Laura, lives with me. It’s an arrangement that works well for our whole family. We are right down the road from my brother’s house, making it easy for Mom to help out with her grandchildren. I wish she had lived with me when my son was younger and still living at home. It’s a big help having Grandma around. Since we write this blog together, it’s so convenient for us to be under the same roof. Blogging can be a 24/7 job at times. Thanks to Premier Care Bathing for sponsoring today’s discussion about aging parents – something that affects all families.
Since Mom retired, I have really been pushing her to travel and see the world. Just last week, I tried so hard to convince her to go with a travel group to Europe for two weeks, and again she resisted. She finally told me that she wants to spend what time she has left with her grandchildren, not traveling the world. How can I argue with that? We’ll have to stick to family vacations.
Family is a priority for Mom, so as she ages I want to be prepared to make whatever changes necessary to our house to keep her living at home with family. She is still very active and in good health for her age. In fact, she is quick to point out that she gets around better than I do. Yet, as I saw with my Grandmother, this can change at anytime.
Mom is really enjoying her golden years, doing things with her grandchildren like trips to the aquarium and craft projects.
My Mom has spent her entire life taking care of her children and grandchildren, now it’s time for us to start thinking about caring for her.
Creating a Safer and More Comfortable Home for Aging Parents
We all care about having a safe and comfortable home. As our parents and grandparents age, there are some simple and inexpensive changes we can make to ensure our aging loved ones stay safe. Here are a few changes I plan to incorporate in my own home, as Mom gets older. They might be helpful for you as well.
1. Move furniture around. Something as simple as moving your furniture around can help prevent falls and accidents. Move things around to ensure there is plenty of wide open space to get around, and cover any sharp corners or edges.
3. Consider purchasing a new bed and/or bed rails. An adjustable bed can be beneficial for seniors, making it easier to get in and out of bed and sleep comfortably.
4. Alerts or call buttons. There are many different products available that your loved one can use to call for help with the press of a button, in case of an emergency.
5. Bathroom safety. Install rails in the bathroom. Consider investing in a walk in tub. Stepping over the side of the tub is dangerous for the elderly. Premier Care in Bathing has walk-in tubs, which are great for aging parents, or anyone with pain, arthritis, stress, or physical disabilities. Visit the Premier Care website to grab a brochure, and learn about their monthly payment options starting as low as $150.
Have you thought about how to make your home more comfortable for your aging parent?
Those are great tips, I just recently did this for my Mom so she can stay in her home longer.
Bathroo, adaptations are a huge help that will more than pay off for themselves on the long run. I would also add remove slippery rugs from your home- of there is a walker they are easy too slip or trip on. Its wonderful youre thinking ahead!!
I believe it is very important to have call bells and alarms for your parents safety
This is a great article. Family is so important. I think it’s wonderful that you are so close with your mother and you are helping take care of her.
These are all really great ideas. I think one of the great things about your parent living with you is they also get a chance to build a great relationship with their grandchildren.
Those are good tips. I’ve noticed as I age, that I sometimes get dizzy on the stairs. It’s kind of frightening. Especially for older people that live alone and may not have family near by.
Those bathtubs/showers are so cool. I think having the alerts/call buttons installed is just smart thinking for any person of any age. Accidents happen, nice to have peace of mind when our cell phones are not glued to our ears.
My husband was raised by his grandparents, so we treat them like parents. They are definitely at the point where I worry about them handling their daily tasks. His grandfather has fallen a few times. We have moved furniture around and got rid of the throw rugs, as they were tripping hazards. They really need some work done to make the bathroom better adjusted for their needs.
Good tips for the ageing. I am inthat boat right now and see parents having more problems, but we can help ease life for them.
Awww it’s so sweet and special that your mom lives with you. My husband and I are empty nesters now and have 5 young adult kids ages 19-27 on their own we are very close knit with. Also Todd’s mom sadly has passed away but his dad is alive and lives nearby so we get to visit him .. he is still living independently in his own home but Todd’s sister and us pitch in to also pay for him to have a housekeeper to keep his housework done for him because he has COPD and that is just too difficult for him to do. We like to take him out to eat too.
My parents live 5 hrs away from us and I talk to them weekly on phone and they are still doing well living independently in their own home on the lake. Todd and I live in a tiny 495 sq ft 1 bedroom apt …. if GOD FORBID my soulmate/bff love of my life husband were to die before me .. “IF” one of my kids wanted me to live with them, I would, but if they preferred to live on their own .. that would not hurt my feelings and I would totally understand and respect that equally.