When we’re young, our parents take care of us. They hold us close and wash our face when we’ve been crying, bring us tea and medicine when we’re sick, and ease our pain when our hearts have been broken. That’s what parents are for. Truthfully, this job is never really done. Even when we’re adults, many of us turn to our parents for comfort and support. They are there to be our rock, the source of our energy.
Of course, not all aspects of parent-child relationships are so rose-colored. Parents are people, too, and they can also be sources of frustration, anger, and stress. Especially once we’re adults, and have a certain way we like to do things, it can be difficult to handle long stays with our parents. It’s a delicate balance to uphold.
Unfortunately, as our parent’s age, they sometimes need more help than they once did, and it becomes our turn to take care of them. They may need a care plan, or a mattress made of memory foam to support their aging backs. In some cases, if they have a chronic condition and can no longer care for themselves, they may need to come live with their kids.
If this is the case, there are a few things to bear in mind before they move in. There’s the emotional side of things, but there are also physical things that need to be taken care of if you’re all going to be comfortable. Depending on your parents’ medical situation, and whether they have a chronic condition that requires chronic care management, you need to prepare yourself for this major undertaking. Read on to learn more about things to keep in mind as you prepare to move your elderly parent into your home.
Make sure your parent has the best mattress around.
The most important thing is your parent’s comfort. They need to feel that they’re at home, and that means making their bedroom imbued with a sense of comfort and belonging. If you’re planning on having them stay in a guest room or extra room that has an old mattress, you should probably reconsider. An old mattress just won’t do the trick, especially for an elderly parent. You’ll need a new mattress, a mattress that they can really stretch out and relax on. A new mattress will also make your parent feel like you’re investing in them, that they’re welcome in your home.
If you don’t know where to start when researching mattresses and can’t tell a Simmons from a Casper, start by looking at a Beautyrest mattress. Suffice to say that not all mattresses are created equally, but a retailer who knows what they’re doing will have a Simmons Beautyrest mattress in stock all the time. Simply put, this memory foam mattress is more durable and has a comfort layer that’s just unparalleled. You can even consult your elderly parent about which mattress to get. Ask if they would prefer a Beautyrest black mattress or any other color. Do they want a Beautyrest hybrid? Whatever Simmons mattress they go for, you will at least have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the new mattress you’ve gotten your parent is the best mattress out there, with optimal comfort and design baked right in.
Research chronic care management ahead of time.
If your parent has a chronic condition or any chronic disease that requires constant care from a care team, that’s something to figure out ahead of time. Chronic health conditions are no joke, and having a care team that you can trust is key in ensuring both your comfort and your parent’s comfort as well. Chronic care management (CCM) can be a complicated web to untangle, but if you need additional support you should know that there are care teams out there who are wonderful and can help you manage your parents’ arthritis, asthma, heart disease, or any other chronic condition they may behandling.
In some cases, Medicare may be able to foot the bill for chronic care management, so if that’s an important factor for you make sure to call Medicare ahead of time to find out. Different Medicare patients have different reimbursement options, so make sure you’ve ironed out all the health insurance logistics before meeting with a care team member to see about your parent’s comfort level with the nurse practitioners you’ll be working with. Whatever you do, don’t wait until your parent is already living with you before looking into your CCM needs.
Find movers and stretch wrappers for their belongings.
Don’t make moving your parents’ belongings lightly. Your parents have likely lived in the same home for years, and moving is a big deal. If they’re going to feel comfortable moving into your home, you need to take moving them seriously. Show them that you care that their things show up safe and sound by investing in great movers according to the specific needs their belongings have. For example, don’t just toss an old box full of cards. It may mean something to your mom or dad. They may be nervous about driving all their stuff across North America to a new home. Just imagining their heirlooms being moved around on a forklift, or shoved into a box, is enough to cause a panic attack.
One way to reassure them that everything will be all right is by looking into automatic stretch wrappers to keep everything safe. Stretch film or stretch wrap will wrap around and provide an extra layer around any valuables, keeping them safe on their way to their new destination. This is done with a wrapping machine and carefully moved on a conveyor. You can also show them that you’re buying bubble wrap and great boxes and packing things with care. Think of having your parent meet the movers ahead of time to make sure they feel comfortable with them.
Moving a parent with a chronic condition into your home is never simple. It’s important to have the hard conversations before the big move, as much as possible. Try to get an insight into how they’re feeling and ensure an open line of communication from the get-go. Develop a clear privacy policy for the household. You’re all adults now, and you have your right to privacy as much as they do. Ask them clearly—what will give them comfort? What will help them with their arthritis or asthma? This may mean moving things around in your home, and it will certainly mean an adjustment period for everyone involved.
Make sure to nail down the logistics of the move beforehand so that when they move in you’re just dealing with the emotional side of things. Talk to nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and anyone else you need to about your CCM needs. Buy a new Beautyrest mattress, and maybe even a mattress topper for extra comfort. Get stretch wrap for valuables and find movers that everyone loves. Then design the room your parent will be staying in to express their persona. If you take care of all these little items, you’ll be better prepared for the new adventure that comes with living with your elderly parents. You may even enjoy the time together and the opportunity to repay them for all the comfort they gave you as a child.
