Building a Support System When Caring for Parents as an Only Child

Being an only child has some perks. As a kid, you never had to experience sibling rivalry or fights, and you also had the advantage of receiving all the love and attention of your parents. As an adult with no siblings, you may now realize that it is your turn to provide all the care your parents need.

You will find benefits to this as well. You can make all of the necessary decisions without the need to check with siblings. You also avoid the conflicts and elevated emotions that often arise among siblings due to the stress of caring for parents.

The drawback, however, is the fact that it is a tremendous responsibility to provide care for your parents on your own. These tips can help.

• Prepare early. The need for help in the home as your parents age is highly likely. So even if they’re active and healthy now, it is a wise idea to begin to formulate a plan for their future care needs. Sit down together and have an honest and open discussion about their wishes. This discussion should include an overview of finances and confirmation that all crucial paperwork is in place: will, power of attorney, healthcare directive, etc.
• Watch for signs. Keep an eye on your parents’ ability to handle everyday activities of living independently. Are they paying bills and balancing the checkbook? Is the home being cared for and kept clean? Are they keeping up with personal hygiene? Are there any red flags of dangers such as cluttered rooms that could lead to a fall, scorch marks on pans that could indicate unattended cooking, etc.?
• Bring in reinforcements. If you suspect your parents might need some help in the home, it’s a good idea to first schedule an appointment with the doctor to go over your concerns. A trusted professional can often have more of an influence on older adults and the need for intervention to ensure safety.

Once the need for assistance at home is established, you will want to build a strong support system. Caring for aging parents is never something that should be undertaken solo. This can quickly lead to caregiver burnout, depression, and a host of other health complications.

How Home Care Can Help

As an only child, partnering with Morning Glory Home Care is an exceptional way to maintain a balanced and healthy life while ensuring the needs of your parents are met. Our fully trained and experienced care professionals are here with just the right level of care your parents need, through services such as:

• Companionship
• Medication reminders
• Specialized dementia care
• Light housekeeping and laundry
• Assistance with baths/showers, getting dressed, as well as other personal care needs
• Meal planning and prep
• Transportation and errand-running
• Fall prevention
• And much more

Call us at 618-667-8400 or contact us online and request more information. We will listen to your concerns and work with you to develop the solution you need. We are pleased to serve families throughout Alton, Highland, Collinsville, and the surrounding areas. Visit our Service Area page to see if our award-winning in-home care services are available in your area.