If you care for elderly parents in Allentown, PA, and are wondering when it’s time for outside help, one way to tell is if you already experience significant caregiver burnout. Another indication is if they can no longer perform activities of daily living (ADLs) independently, and if they face safety concerns.
You might feel guilty just thinking about seeking aging parent support in Allentown, PA. However, professional senior care guidance and services could be much safer and healthier for both of you.
Older adults, after all, face more safety risks, such as those from falls. Per the U.S. CDC, millions of adults 65+ fall each year, and falling once doubles their risk of having another.
The team at Rittenhouse Village at Lehigh Valley, our retirement village in Allentown, a vibrant city known for its historic architecture and stunning scenery, will share insights into helping aging parents transition to senior living.
What Do I Do if I Can’t Take Care of My Elderly Parent?
If you can no longer care for elderly parents, consider seeking help from other family members. They may be willing to share the responsibilities.
Alternatively, you can have your older parents transition to a community specializing in senior care in PA, such as Rittenhouse Village at Lehigh Valley. Our retirement village is proud to deliver high-quality, compassionate memory care and personal care options.
What Is the 40-70 Rule for Aging Parents?
The “40-70 rule” for aging parents is more of a guideline. It recommends that adult children begin speaking with their parents regarding long-term personal care and support when they’re around 40, and their parents are in their 70s.
Before a significant issue arises, talk with your parents about:
- Finances
- Health and well-being preferences
- Living arrangements
You can start the discussions earlier. The sooner you do, the sooner you and your aging loved ones can prepare for the future. It can make all involved parties feel less stressed.
Having a plan early on can also minimize the risk of making emotionally driven decisions during a crisis.
When Is It Time to Delegate Care for Elderly Parents?
Caregiver burnout, difficulty managing ADLs, and safety concerns are all signs that it’s time to consider seeking help with elderly parent care. Here’s a closer look at these indications and why they’re a good time to consider having parents transition to senior living.
Caregiver Burnout
Through dependable senior care services, you can manage and prevent caregiver burnout, which could have significant adverse effects on your health and well-being.
Per the Cleveland Clinic, about 60% of caregivers experience burnout to some degree. Unmanaged, it can lead to a caregiver’s physical and mental health deteriorating.
Burned-out caregivers can develop problems like:
- Extreme fatigue
- Depression
- Heart disease
- Weakened immune system
Delegating the task of caregiving to professionals can help you minimize your risks of experiencing such issues.
You can also feel less guilty, provided you choose a highly reputable senior living community. You’ll know that kind, compassionate, and loving personal care providers are looking out for your elderly parents’ best interests.
Difficulty With ADLs
ADLs are the basic self-care tasks a person must be able to do to lead a safe, healthy, and independent life. They include activities like:
- Showering
- Personal Grooming
- Dressing
- Dining
- Continence
While not all seniors would need help with one or more of those ADLs, many will. According to CBS News, an estimated 70% of U.S. adults 65+ will need long-term care, to some degree, over their lifetime.
If your elderly parents face increasing difficulties performing ADLs, and you can’t be with them all the time because you also have work and a family, it’s time to consider getting help.
At Rittenhouse Village at Lehigh Valley, our compassionate personal care team is available round-the-clock to assist if and when needed.
Safety Concerns
Aside from falls, seniors face many other safety concerns due to advancing age. Loneliness and social isolation, for instance, can put their health and safety at risk. Per the National Institute on Aging (NIA), studies show an association between these two conditions and increased risk for health problems like:
- Depression
- Cognitive decline
- Heart disease
Help your aging parent who lives alone reduce their risks for such issues. Encourage them to transition to a vibrant senior living community like Rittenhouse Village at Lehigh Valley.
Here, residents never run out of fun things to do that help them stay happy, fit, on the move, and social, thanks to our many exclusive senior living programs. From our Sensations Dining program to our Celebrations Activities and Events, our residents have access to all these and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rittenhouse Village at Lehigh Valley Provide Tailored Personal Care?
Yes, we do. At Rittenhouse Village at Lehigh Valley, we understand that each senior has specific personal care needs and unique circumstances, so we don’t implement a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we customize each personal care plan to the individual requirements and preferences of our residents.
By providing highly tailored personal care, we ensure that seniors get the help they need when they need it, while allowing them to enjoy independence for things that they can still do on their own.
Will My Elderly Parents Get an Apartment of Their Own at Rittenhouse Village at Lehigh Valley?
Yes! Your senior loved ones can choose from various floor plans, including private suites and one-bedroom senior apartment homes.
All apartments have their own bathrooms, and we’ve equipped them with mobility and safety features, such as walk-in showers with grab bars. We also take care of housekeeping, apartment maintenance, and trash removal.
Let Us Help You Care for Your Elderly Parents
Delegating care for elderly parents may feel gut-wrenching, but in many cases, it’s safer, healthier, and more practical for everyone. As long as you choose the right senior living community, you can rest assured that your senior loved ones will get the best care they deserve.
Let Rittenhouse Village at Lehigh Valley, our beautiful, pet-friendly retirement village in Allentown, PA, be your partner in caring for your aging parents.
With our highly experienced and compassionate personal care team, exclusive senior living programs, and numerous community amenities, we can help your loved ones live their golden years to the fullest.
Call us today to schedule a tour!
