Should Your Parents Still Be Living on Their Own

As we age, giving up independence is one of the hardest things to do. Determining when it is the right time for a senior to move out of their home can be difficult. Here are tips that will help know how to make the decision when you parents should not be living alone any longer.

First, you must know this decision will be met with resistance, especially if your loved one is not injured and can still get around. You will need to be prepared to help them through this with sensitivity and understanding.

But there are some very basic activities they must still be able to accomplish if they are going to continue safely living on their own.

Questions to ask and observations to make:


1. Are they able to get out of the home to go to the store or doctor? To remain independent your senior must have the ability to get outside the home to accomplish tasks. Do they still drive or do they have a friend or relative that will drive them is the big question.


2. Do they have mobility issues that make it difficult to get around? If they can still get around well without the risk of falling, that is what you want to look for. If they show signs of instability, that can pose dangers living on their own.


3. Are they able to still cook and prepare meals for themselves? Observe how they operate around the kitchen. Can they still function safely with the stove and oven? Do they remember to turn these off when not in use? If they are not doing well in the kitchen, that can be a real problem.


4. How do they do with their medication? Put all their medication in a plastic container that has a separate compartment for each day. Keep an eye on this and watch to make sure they are taking all their medications at the proper times and the right days.


5. How is their hearing and vision? Are they able to use the telephone? A person can actually have challenges in these and still live on their own. There are special phones designed for those with poor vision or hearing.


When the time comes to move your loved senior family member from their home be sensitive to how difficult this will be for them. It is often best to explore options and talk over the best solution with them. Be sure to point out the safety reasons and that you are doing this out of love.

Written By : Mark Myers