It’s natural to be concerned about the safety of your aging mother, especially if she’s living alone. One of the simplest and sometimes knee-jerk reactions adult children have to struggling parents is having them move in. If you had your mother move in with you, thinking she would be safer, you may be surprised to realize she might not be.
We often overestimate the safety and our own homes.
Take a quick look around your house (if you’re home right now). If you’re not home, wait until you return home this evening and take a look. What does your bathroom look like? Are the lights replaced that had blown out? Are there any non-slip mats on the floor? Keep in mind that when water gets on ceramic or linoleum tile, it can be just as slick as ice.
What about the shower or bath tub? Are there grab bars? Do you have a shower seat? If not, what happens if your mother slips, is not feeling very strong, and still needs to take a shower? Are you going to be able to help her? Would she even ask you for assistance or will it simply be too uncomfortable for her to “go there?”
What if she has to get up in the middle of the night?
A person who is in an unfamiliar environment could be at serious risk of injuries sustained from tripping over something they didn’t expect to be there. Sure, you can have night lights, keep some lamps on in various rooms in the house, but for a while this is going to be an unfamiliar environment for your mother and that can pose its own set of hazards.
Are you going to be there every minute she needs help?
The vast majority of family caregivers, even if they have their aging parent move in with them, are working. You may have a career, a couple of part-time jobs, and other responsibilities that take you out of the house. When you’re gone, who is going to be there to support your mother?
It’s easy to simply assume she’s going to be fine, but if there is a serious and legitimate reason for you to be concerned about her safety in her own house, none of that changes just because she moves in with you.
The best option is always to rely on experienced and dedicated home care aides. Even if your mother moves in with you (which can be a wonderful situation for everyone involved), relying on home care support for a couple of hours one or two days a week to start can provide a boost and safety, companionship, and comfort.
If you are considering hiring elder care in Morgan, UT for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Seniors Helping Seniors of Ogden, UT. Call today 801-821-4535.