Our elderly relatives can bring so much joy and love to our lives. Not only do they have wisdom to share, but a lifetime of love and care that we can enjoy like nothing else. It’s essential for our children to have healthy relationships with their grandparents, and making sure they’re integrated well into the family unit, even if you live a little further away, can be nothing but healthy. However, sometimes the challenges of age can make this kind of balance something of a struggle. This may mean that in order to enhance the quality of life of your elderly relative, volunteering them for extra care can be key. This may take the form of enrolling in a few assistance programs, cultivating their house so that it’s more comfortable for them to live in, all the way towards speaking with a nursing home consultant to respectfully work out the best next step. But before any of that can take place, it’s important to properly and respectfully assess if this help is actually needed. With the following advice, this process will be much more possible to cultivate:
Living Conditions
The living conditions that your elderly relative may have fallen into could may cause some concern. Of course, everyone can fall into being a little untidy from time to time, but if you notice that the home is no longer clean, if dishes are piling up, if simple tasks like being able to take out garbage bags or cleaning the bathroom seem to be noticeable issues, then opening a respectful dialogue could be key. It may be that a little extra help from an assisted living service could help them with mobility issues that prevent their usual standard of self-care.
Keep Communication Open
Keeping communication open with your family member can help you notice if they encounter personality changes or if they seemingly act differently from week to week. For instance, it’s not too uncommon for those in their elderly years to struggle with their memory, this can be a benign sign of aging or it may denote the need for a professional assessment. Make sure you keep those communication channels open, not only to cultivate your relationship, but so you notice any issues that may be developing.
Speak Candidly & With Respect
Your elderly relative may be slightly less capable than they used to be, but they’re not stupid, and they don’t deserve to be treated like the ‘other’ just because of a few additional needs. Keeping them involved in the conversation can help them avoid feeling as if they’re property to be managed, rather an appreciated and loved member of your family. This way, you can come to plans together, such as taking time to talk to a nursing home consultant or opening the dialogue that may convince them move into your spare bedroom and live with you. Without respect and a candid set of conversations, it’s easy to give the wrong impression. With this advice, we hope you can more readily assess if your elderly relative needs extra care to thrive.
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