Having your parent come live with you and your family can be a fantastic way to not only enhance the care efforts that you give to them, but also to support stronger bonds in the relationships of your family. Multigenerational caring is increasing in popularity again due to the efficiency of caring for both children and elderly adults at the same time, and relying on different generations of the family to support and care for one another cooperatively. If you have made the decision to transition your senior into your home, it is important that you make sure the home is a safe and accessible for your parent as possible, including making meaningful modifications to create a space that is comfortable, safe, and functional according to their specific needs and challenges.

Some of the meaning for modifications that you can make to make your home safer for your parent include:

• Install additional lighting to help your parent cope with low vision. Make sure the lighting is bright enough that they are able to read and engage in favorite activities such as sewing, as well as to properly illuminate steps and other changes in terrain, and eliminate shadowing that might be confusing and potentially lead to injury.
• Add a ramp that leads to the front porch if your parent uses a mobility aid such as a wheelchair or walker, or has difficulty with mobility such as balance problems and lack of range of motion.
• Install grab bars in the bathroom that they will be using in order to provide extra support as they are moving through the bathroom and bathing.
• Consider adapting one of the bathrooms in the home to be an accessible bathroom that will include an elevated toilet and a walk-in shower, or at least a shower with a shower bench and a handheld shower head.

If your senior is suffering with cognitive functioning decline, make sure that you consider this when making modifications. This can include adding locks to doors to attics or basements that might be dangerous for your parent, increasing locks on doors and windows that lead the outside, and adding security cameras to the home

Being a family caregiver for an elderly adult can pose a wide variety of challenges and difficulties, but fortunately home care can help. Having an in-home care provider as a part of your regular care routine with your senior can be an exceptional way to meet their needs and encourage a high quality of life for them while also easing your stress. This type of care provider can be with your parent on a schedule that works for you as well as for them, meaning that they will always have access to the care, support, and assistance that they need to manage their individual needs and challenges in the way that is right for them. This helps them to stay healthy, safe, comfortable, and happy, while also helping them to pursue a lifestyle that is as active, engaged, and independent as possible as they age in place. For you as their caregiver, this care can give you tremendous peace of mind and ease your stress, helping you to feel more confident and focus your energy and attention in the ways that are most effective and efficient for your parent and for your other responsibilities and obligations.

If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Caregivers in St. Petersburg, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.