It Takes a Village: Developing a Plan to Help Your Parents Age in Place

Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on September 14, 2016

It Takes a Village: Developing a Plan to Help Your Parents Age in Place

1.     Companion Care

Whether you decide to research a company that offers companion care or simply find a college student, stay-at-home parent or recent retiree, many people offer affordable services as a companion.  Such care allows you to take a break and rest from the sometimes stressful demands of being a caregiver.  Senior companion care can vary greatly; it can include merely spending time with your parent reading or working on puzzles together to more demanding care including prepping and cooking meals and assisting seniors in getting dressed and/or administering medicines.  Here’s what’s certain:  there is a companion willing to work with your parent to enhance the quality of their lives.  Many local Meals on Wheels organizations offer a Companion Volunteer program that matches volunteers who would like to visit with seniors for 1-2 hours on a weekly basis.  Other companies, such as Care.com connect individuals interested in providing companion care with those in need of it.  Take some time to research available options in your area!

2.     Senior Centers

Many local communities receive funding to operate senior centers.  Such centers provide a variety of programs and an amazing array of social programs for seniors.  Whether it’s a traveling musical group or a reading day with a local Girl Scout troop, senior centers provide an invaluable service to the community.  Many centers additionally provide transportation services to and from the center as well as meals at a reduced cost.  While some senior centers may be located in stand-alone buildings, others may be located inside a building housing other local nonprofit organizations.  To find the senior center closest to you, try using the search phrase Senior Center and your city or town. 

3.     Family Members

Now, more than ever is a time to contact family members and ask for help!  No one should have to manage such an important task alone.  Talk to siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins and try to organize a schedule that works for everyone.  While family members that reside close by can help with running errands and physically spending time with aging parents, family members that live far away can make important contributions as well.  Ask them to call or Skype once or twice a week just to check in and connect with your aging parent.  This not only provides an important connection to the family but also to the outside world.  Aging in place can be a lonely experience, and the more outreach a family makes, the more positive experience it can become.  Additionally, this shares the responsibility among all family members so no one person’s shoulders carry undue weight.  Family members living close by can additionally take turns organizing outings to the movies, for shopping, or to local areas of interest such as parks or church.  These outings become especially important if a parent is facing giving up driving. 

4.     Take Time For Yourself

Caring for a parent or parents aging in place can be stressful.  One cannot fill another’s cup if one’s own cup is empty.  Therefore, it’s imperative that you take time to care for yourself.  Eat well, exercise, and continue to commit to activities, you love.  And every once and a while, treat yourself to a massage, a delicious meal out, or that new item you’ve had your eye on for quite some time.  Self-care is extremely important when taking on the role as a caretaker for another. 

Remember: there’s a village out there willing to help you help your parents.  While some services may require payment, such as companion care, other services will be free.  When approaching the prospect of caring for a parent aging in place, the key to success is organization.  Develop a plan with your parents, research the resources available in your community, and adjust the plan as necessary.  No one person needs to do everything: ask your village and it will rise to the challenge!

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