3 Questions to Ask Before Caring For a Family Member at Home

It’s funny how life goes, we grow up being cared for by family, and as they grow old, we become the ones to care for them. It’s always a little bittersweet, it’s an honor to help and provide for those that made us who we are today, but sad when they can no longer completely look after themselves. Something many people will need to consider at one time or another is whether to use a nursing home for their loved one, or move them in at their home. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before making the decision. 

Is your home suitable for them?

First things first, is your home suitable for the person you’re going to be caring for? For example, if they have mobility problems, lots of steps up to the front door could be an issue. If they’re in a wheelchair, certain types of flooring will mean that they’re not able to move around very easily. Another issue is making sure they have their own bedroom. You don’t necessarily need a spare upstairs room as something like a reception room or dining room could be converted into sleeping quarters. This is especially useful if stairs are an issue. Will they easily be able to get a bath or shower, and is the layout suitable for them? Lots of tripping hazards for example could be dangerous for older adults. In some cases, you might have to admit that your home isn’t the best place for them and look into alternative options such as nursing homes. But most of the time, a few adaptations might be all that’s needed. 

Do you know about their condition?

Caring for someone in your home can be a full time job, before taking this on you need to know that it’s something you’re able to do. Do you know about their condition, what the symptoms are and what warning signs to look out for? Do you know what your role as their carer will be and how things will progress in the future? It could be worth doing some research, maybe even going to the doctor with your family member and having their GP explain everything to you. If your loved one has very complicated and specific care needs, this could be a reason to book them into a facility which has everything they’ll need to keep them safe. 

Is there any extra help you could get?

With caring for someone being such a big job, its a good idea to figure out what other help you might be able to get. It could be senior care, it could be an overnight nurse, it could be something like food or laundry services which would take a little pressure off you. It might feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders, so do what you can to make life easier. In many cases there will be funding and government help for these kinds of services so it’s something to look into.