Submitted by: Alexia Cameron

Having your elderly parent move into your household may seem like a daunting task, however, living under one roof with your parent again provides a unique opportunity for you to reconnect and strengthen lifelong bonds. You are approaching a new and exciting heartwarming period in your life in which you will be given more time to spend with your loved one. If you are prepared you will be saving yourself stress and worry, and the experience will be a lot more enjoyable. Getting your house prepared for your new roommate s arrival is paramount to a smooth transition.

1. Make sure the entrance into your household is accessible. Make sure the steps are not too steep and that the handrail is sufficient. You may need to update your handrail or install one if you don t currently have one in place. If your parent uses a wheelchair, it will also be necessary to install a ramp.

2. Purchase a medical alert system for your parent. Having a medical alert system on hand will provide you with extra assurance regarding your parent s safety and help ensure early intervention. LifeFone (http://www.lifefone.com/) provides professional Emergency Care Specialists who are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For less than a dollar a day, you can customize your plan with LifeFone (http://www.lifefone.com/how-it-works.html) to fit your parent s specific needs and you feel more confident in your decision to bring them into your home.

3. Rearrange objects in the house to make them accessible. Items that will be used the most often should be moved to shelves or drawers that are easily accessible. Placing necessary objects in high cupboards or shelving units increases the risk of accidents. Oftentimes the elderly will strain themselves to get the object they want in order to maintain their independence.

4. Provide your parent with a designated space. You want your parent to feel at home and relaxed in their new environment and giving them a space that is uniquely and specifically their own will improve everyone s peace of mind. . It is also important for them to maintain a level of privacy, and their own room enables this necessity. If your parent needs help walking up and down the stairs, it may be unrealistic to put them on the second level. Be accommodating to their accessibility. Also be conscientious about what your parent is going to do with all of their furniture and belongings. Bringing personal touches and furniture from their home will make them feel more at ease.

5. How will your parents feel useful in the family dynamic? Your parent needs to feel that they are a contributing member to the household. Having a purpose and increasing their activity in the household will also bolster their self esteem. Whether they contribute by making the coffee in the morning, helping in the garden or simply relating life lessons to family members, it is important to make your parent feel like they are making a contribution.

About the Author: About LifeFone: Since 1976 LifeFone (

lifefone.com/

) has been providing caring service, security, and peace of mind to seniors, their families and caregivers throughout the United States and Canada.

Source:

isnare.com

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