Post-holiday Tips for Helping Aging Parents

Adult children often go home for the holidays, only to find aging parents struggling to care for themselves, keep up with maintaining a home, or facing health issues. After the holidays, adult children seek help for their parents, but may not know where to turn. Here are some options to help aging parents maintain their independence.

Adult Day Care

Adult day care: For seniors who have early stage Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, an adult day program offers meals, activities, medication administration, and social activities on a regular or occasional basis. An adult child or spouse caring for a parent with memory issues may find adult day care is a good solution while they work, run errands or just take a break.

Home Health Care

Home health care: Home health agencies may provide skilled care, non-skilled care, or both.  Skilled home health care is often provided after surgery or a hospital stay, to help a patient return to independence with nursing care or physical, occupational or speech therapy. It is usually paid for by Medicare. Non-skilled care includes such services as light housekeeping, help with meals and bathing, or companionship for seniors who live alone. These services are usually private pay. 

Retirement or Assisted Living Senior Communities

Retirement or assisted living senior communities: Senior communities offer many services, such as on-site meals, housekeeping, scheduled transportation, planned activities, and emergency call systems to summon assistance. Living in a vibrant and welcoming senior community with many services and amenities can help seniors remain independent.