If you are worried about your parent(s) living alone, you may have valid concerns. These tips will help you talk with your parents and know where to start.
1. Fall prevention is key: If a fall or health crisis is imminent, do all that you can to remove the hazard. Getting a trusted friend, doctor or adviser to speak with your loved may be more successful than a close family member. If your loved one should not be left alone for extended periods of time, you may need to rearrange your schedule, get siblings to take shifts or hire caregivers through a home care agency.
2. Small steps: Create as little change as possible for your loved one. Moving your loved one in with you or into a retirement community may sound like a good idea at first but be sure to count all the costs. Moving seniors out of their environment can often cause a ripple effect of physical and mental issues.
3. Respect your elders: As long as your loved ones mental faculties are intact, they have the right to make their own decisions. Do your best to express your concerns for their health and safety in a conversational manner and hear them out as well. Compromise is often the best way to reach peace of mind for all parties.