How to Care for Children & a Senior Parent Simultaneously

The day may come when you need to focus your energy on both raising your children and caring for an elderly relative. Each of these family members deserves your love and attention, but it may be difficult to find a balance. Here are a few tips to help you make sure everyone’s needs are met, including your own. 

Move Your Loved One in with You

If your loved one is still living independently but changes in his or her health mean this may need to change soon, moving your parent into your home may be an option. This living situation can make it easier to balance your children’s after-school activities and appointments with your loved one’s care because you won’t have to split time between the two homes. If you don’t have a spare bedroom but have another room that isn’t used often, you can convert it into a bedroom. 

Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Dallas in-home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help.

Make Time for Your Children

It’s important to balance your loved one’s care with the needs of your children. There may be dance recitals, soccer practices, school plays, or karate classes you need to make time for, and your children may need a little help with math homework or studying for upcoming tests. If possible, bring your loved one to your children’s after-school activities or get him or her involved in their homework or study sessions. 

Hiring a professional caregiver can ease many of your worries about balancing all your family roles. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality senior care, Dallas Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.

Get Help from Your Children

Involve your children in your loved one’s care whenever possible. For instance, an older child could read to your loved one, or a younger child could do something as simple as bringing reading glasses to your parent. Your children could help you prepare a light snack and drink for your loved one, and they may also enjoy spending some quality time with your senior parent just watching television or playing a board game. 

Consider Respite Care

Whether you need the time to go to a doctor’s appointment, attend one of your children’s after-school activities, or run some errands, you may need to seek some outside help for a few hours or days a week. A caregiver can provide you with respite and stay with your loved one for a few hours, overnight, or even for a few days if your family is going on vacation.

In Dallas, respite care is a great help to many families. Caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times, which puts family caregivers at risk for burnout. However, an in-home caregiver can take over your loved one’s care, allowing you the time you need to focus on your own health, maintain a full-time job, or care for other members of your family. If you need professional care for your senior loved one, Home Care Assistance is just a phone call away. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at [hca_phone].