- Create a checklist of things that need to be done
- Create a riding plan when your parent stops driving
- Check the services offered by the Area Agency of Aging
- Use active and passive monitoring
3 quarters of adults over 50 want to stay in their house as they grow old. The numbers, on the other hand, say that only a small share of them achieve their goal. Learning how to help aging parents stay in their home starts with a switch of perspective. If your parent’s health is OK, move your attention from them and start focusing on the work you are required to do.
The household is usually held by two people, and each one has their own chores. When an elder parent ends up alone, the number of things to fix around the house piles up. And in most cases, this is the root of most problems that makes living by themselves close to impossible.
Check the Workload Required
Now it’s time to observe the house properly. Take a pen and paper with you and note all the tasks that need to be completed, from buying groceries to changing the furnace filter. You can now identify who can complete each task.
At this point, you will see how much your parent can do and how much you need to do to keep everything functional. You will also notice tasks that require professionals, and this equals costs.
While observing the house, you can also take safety measures. For example, you can:
- Check the lighting from different corners of the house,
- Make sure that the steep basement stairs have a handrail.
Car Drives & Independence
You don’t understand the level of independence a car gives you until you or someone else from the family stops driving. When your parent decides that they cannot drive anymore, someone else has to take this responsibility. This means that you need to prepare for taking your parent to the shopping centre, a medical check, a meeting with a friend, and so on.
At this point, you need to think about building a ride system that works for you and your parents, because you cannot put your life on hold or spend your entire day on the road. The Area Agency on Aging runs subsidized transportation in most counties. The costs are appealing, considering they are at a fraction of what rideshares cost. We highly recommend giving them a try.
How to Help Aging Parents Stay in Their Home by Hiring Help
Hiring help doesn’t have to be extremely expensive as long as you do it in a smart way. This is why you need to know that the Area Agency of Aging has useful services funded under the Older Americans Act. They include:
- Meals delivery;
- Rides to the doctor;
- Rides at senior centers;
- Help for bathing or housecleaning;
- And even a break for caregivers.
It’s important to have a talk and see what your parent qualifies for. The fees depend on the income, and there are many services that are free of charge.
However, there is a catch. There are few people who find these agencies because they operate under a different name in nearly every state. You can find the nearest agency by calling the Eldercare Locator on a weekday.
House Repairs: Costs & Necessities
Now that you know what needs to be fixed and what to do to make the house safe, it’s time to see how much everything costs. If your parent lives in a rural area and has low income, the good news is that the USDA Section 504 offers homeowners over 63 a lifetime grant up to $10,000. You can use it to make sure the house is safe and without hazards. There is also a 1% fixed-rate loan up to $40,000 you can access for repairs.
Another useful program you need to know about is PACE. It is for people over 55 who are sick enough for a nursing home, but could handle themselves at their own homes with proper support. It offers primary care, specialists, therapy, transportation, and handling prescriptions.
Support and Monitor
Learning how to help aging parents stay in their home also means understanding the costs. The more independent your parents are, the smaller the costs. You need to be smart and use all the benefits you can. At the same time, focus on making the house safe and eliminating fall hazards. We’ve talked more about this topic in this article.
Passive monitoring is another good option to consider. A good example is Parents are Ok. This is an app that watches for phone inactivity and low battery life. This app is accepted by most parents because it doesn’t include GPS or location tracking.
Conclusion
If you want to help aging parent stay in their home, you need to think about your moves in advance. If your parents are already independent, you don’t need to convince them to accept help. Just make sure that you are prepared for different scenarios and take everything as it comes.
