It might seem like a good idea to take care of an ailing parent, but be sure to look into all the repercussions before you fully decide.  Chances are, that parent will experience serious medical issues very quickly, but even if this doesn’t happen, even just learning how to lift frail bodies without hurting them is important.  There is family caregiver training available, and this would really help learn some of their needs like simply sitting themselves up so they can get out of bed.  You would hope an ailing parent could get themselves out in case of fire, too, but it takes some planning. 

In addition, the digestive and bathroom/bathing needs of the elderly changes considerably.  And what about leaving them alone?  What fallbacks can you use to ensure that they can reach help if they fall, or to call the fire department if they start a fire or even have a seizure or something.  There are so many issues to consider!

First, consider the depth of the care they’d need in terms of bathing, feeding, infection control, transference, toileting and medical care.  Some home health care training would really help with this.  Next, consider how you can protect yourself.  Should you look into adult daycare for when you’re away, or even a night nurse?  Life Alert might be a good idea, or a monitoring system if your loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s.  There are all kinds of caregiver resources out there, including caregiver books.  Really doing your homework will result in an easier experience for all.

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