Time Management
If you are a son or daughter who is assisting one or more parents, along with children of your own, and perhaps a job as well…you need to begin thinking about Time Management. You can only take care of so many things in a day.
With aging parents the job of “care giver” creeps up gradually. After years of watching parents make sacrifices and contributions to the success and well being of their kids, it is only natural to feel the favor should be returned. So what are the options for doing the right thing, without falling short with your other family members or your own job and personal time?
If mom or dad are still trying to take care of a large house and yard, but have drawn you into the maintenance role, it is probably time to down-size to something more manageable.
If mom or dad are not getting around as much or don’t seem to be socializing like they once did, a more social setting can provide a very healthy change. Most seniors blossom again when they are surrounded by other people with common interests, and a broad range of things to do.
If you plan to visit reasonably often, make it easy on yourself, your husband or wife, and the kids. Pick an urbanSenior Community that provides shopping, dining, and interesting community activities for the whole family when you go over to visit mom. If you can pick a location which is near where you live, the visit could be on the way home from work, or breakfast on a Sunday morning. Think of the kids and be sure there are fun things for them when they go to visit grandma. They will go more often and have good memories about it.
Mom will have lots of assistance from friendly staff when she needs it, you will be out of the maintenance business and can spend quality time with your parent(s), with lots of time left for the other important things in your life.
