Since his stroke, your dad can’t live alone. He moved in with your family. To make this work, it’s important that you don’t become so focused on his care that you forget everyone else. In-home care in Lafayette can help make the transition go more smoothly. Here are five things you can’t forget.

1. Everyone Needs to Adjust

It’s going to be an adjustment for everyone. Expect some frustration and moodiness. Your dad has to get used to living under your roof with your rules. Your teens have to get used to having another person in the home, and that person is dealing with health issues. If you’re asking teens to share a room to make room for your dad, it’s also going to cause some conflict. When possible, turn a room like a den into your dad’s room. Or, create a room for a teen in a basement or attic space if you can.

2. Bathroom Schedules Must Be Considered

Your dad is going to take longer in the bathroom, so make sure you’ve accommodated for that. If you have teens in high school, they’ll need the bathrooms in the morning to get ready for school. If your dad is in there for hours, they’ll be late. You also have to consider your work schedule and other family members’ daily routines. If you only have one or two bathrooms, you have to make sure your dad’s needs don’t become a problem.

3. You Have to Accommodate Different Dietary Needs

Your dad will have a harder time with tougher foods. For now, he’ll need softer foods like shepherd’s pie, poached fish, and mashed vegetables. If cooking two separate meals is a hassle or takes too much time, you’ll have to plan accordingly. It may help to prepare meals in advance for your dad that you can microwave. While you’re cooking for others, heat your dad’s meal. You’ll all be able to eat together. As he gains his strength, he may want to start trying some of the foods you’ve made.

4. Split Up To-Do Lists for Fairness

Make sure you divide your to-do lists in a manner that’s fair. Unless they want to, your children shouldn’t have to be helping with your dad’s care needs. It’s unfair to demand a teen be the one to feed your dad. Ask first and be understanding if it’s something your teen is uncomfortable doing.

5. You Need to Keep Doing Things You Love

Make sure you’re not stuck at home just because your dad can’t leave the house. You need to keep taking vacations, spending time with your children, and visiting with friends. Once that’s done, you can focus on your dad’s needs. Meanwhile, in-home care aides have you covered. When you are away, you don’t have to leave him alone. Hire in-home care to have caregivers stay with him when you’re at work, out of the house running errands, going away for a few days, or socializing with others.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional in-home care in Lafayette, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care. Call today: (415) 795-2203

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Evan Loevner

CEO at Aviva In-Home Care

As a former hospital administrator, I launched Aviva with the goal of having a more focused, direct impact on the delivery of care than I could ever accomplish within a hospital setting. For me, the joy of running an organization like Aviva In-Home Care is having the ability to positively improve the lives of individuals needing customized care. As a passionate Bay Area resident, I know that many local seniors can benefit from new approaches to in-home care, that will bring them more connection to the community, and provide families with a greater sense of comfort that their loved one is indeed matched with an ideal caregiver.

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