Let us help you keep mom and dad at home!

Holiday visits are a good time to make sure your older parents and relaives are managing their lives and affairs. The winter is upon us, so it’s a good time that their home is well prepared for the cold winter months. I remember visiting my dad one holiday, walking into the house.. it was cold.. I was quite shocked. “Dad, why is it so cold in here?” HIs reply was equally shocking.. “I can’t get the heater on”. Immediately, we called the local plumber. In an hour we figured out that the pilot light was not on. So, thankfully, we were able to remedy that situation. This is a good time for you to start a healthy conversation about if they are able to cope with getting older.

Check in on Aging Relatives:

• Pay attention to whether the older person has a change in a health condition
• Has their memory changed?
• Do they understand your questioning, and are they able to follow your converstation?
• What about their living condition? Is their house clean and in order?
• Check on their finances. Are they paying bills? Is their check book in order?
• Ask him/her if they are having trouble with household chores?
• Ask if they are able to manage their medications?
• Check in with their neighbors and nearby relatives. Ask them if they would keep an eye out for your mom or dad.
• Make an emergency list for your aging parents – people they can call for possible safety hazards and home maintenance.

The holiday time is a great opportunity for adult children and family to pay attention to an older adult’s physical, mental, environmental and financial situation. Keep in mind while doing this that it is equally important to them that you respect their need for privacy. Remember most seniors want to remain independent.

Home Instead Senior Care provides seniors and your aging parents the services and companion care needed for them to remain at home safely. Consider our CAREGivers when your parents need extra care.. when you cannot be there.