3 Things to Have in Mind When Living with Senior Relatives
In today’s world, it is becoming more and more common for the average family to include a senior relative or two. In fact, according to AARP’s State of Non-Traditional Family Households, approximately 35% of U.S. households include an adult child who has a parent living with them. Although these arrangements can be incredibly beneficial for everyone involved, there are some things that you should consider before making the decision to move in with your senior parents or other relatives.
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They’re Aware of Their Age
Living with an elderly relative can be difficult. But it’s important to remember that they are aware of their age and limitations. So, when you take care of them, try to be as understanding as possible.
Try to give them the same amount of privacy they enjoyed while they lived alone. If your elderly relative is old-fashioned, respect their values and avoid doing things that would make them uncomfortable. Likewise, if your relative is younger at heart, don’t treat them like an old person — let them have a say in what happens in the household.
Getting old is difficult. For instance, do you ever pause and think about where you want to be buried? Or what kind of urn you want your ashes to end up in? Probably not. But the elderly may have these thoughts, being that they’re aware of the average life expectancies. There are great sites, like greenmeadowmemorials.com, that provide a wonderful selection of urns (yes, we know that browsing for urns might seem bizarre to you, but try to see it as a final gift, a final choice). We are sure that this is something that makes you think, but don’t feel bad. What we mean is that this should be a wake-up call for you to do some things in life before it’s too late. Of course we don’t mean doing all the things at once. But simply doing more of the things you love doing, spending more time with your family and friends, and getting closer to them.
You Should Try to Be Flexible
In today’s world, many middle-aged people find themselves living with elderly relatives. This can be difficult in many ways. Some of the elderly might be picky eaters, or they may not like the way you organize your things.
However, it is possible that you and your elderly relatives can get along with one another if you are flexible and are willing to compromise. It’s important to pick your battles and only focus on the things that really matter. If you and your elderly relatives are willing to do this, you will be able to have a much more peaceful life together. You might even be able to make some memories that you can both enjoy for years to come.
Some elderly people may be so set in their ways that they don’t want to do anything with you. If this is the case, it might be difficult for you to have a relationship with them. However, if your elderly relatives are willing to spend time with you, there are some things that you can do together. For example, you could take them out to dinner at their favorite restaurant. You could also take them to a movie. By doing this, you will be able to make the most of your time together and create some wonderful memories that will last for years to come.
They Are Not Children
When kids live with elderly relatives (grandparents, great grandparents, or anyone in between) they often treat them like children. They feed them when they want to eat, they tell them what to do, they dress them like babies, and they don’t allow them to make decisions for themselves.
This is a huge mistake. Elderly people are not children. If you treat an older person like a child, you will have a very hard time connecting with them as a caregiver. You also run the risk of really upsetting your elderly relative.
Learn about their life story. This is the best way to connect with your elderly relative. They have a lot of stories to tell, and they love to talk about them. In fact, most older people feel that their life was very interesting and important. The more you know about your relative’s past, the better you will be able to connect with them on an emotional level. This can be difficult because many elderly people don’t remember all of the details about their life. You can encourage them to talk about their past by asking them questions.
Conclusion to When Living with Senior Relatives
Do not be afraid to ask your elderly relative to tell you stories from their past. They will be glad that you asked, and they will love telling you the stories. Whether you’re caring for an elderly family member or living with one, these three things can help make your senior relative enjoy their retirement years.
For more on this topic, check out the full Senior Care collection
