You want to provide your parents with the care they need as they age, but this can come with a number of obstacles. One of which is providing them both with proper care when their needs are different. Perhaps your father needs around-the-clock care but your mother still remains predominantly independent. Leaving the burden on your mother might be too much, but separating them isn’t ideal, either.

If you find yourself in this situation with your parents needing different levels of care, here are some tips and options for you to consider.

Explore your options

Your options will depend largely on the level of care needed by either of your parents. Let’s say for the sake of this article that it’s your father that needs the care. In some cases, you may be able to keep him at home and coordinate the necessary care between you, your mother, and any other family members that are around to help out. Having an in-home care assistant making regular visits can also ease the workload in this situation.

If you decide that your father needs a more permanent solution, then you can either move your parents to a living community together or you will have to separate them. Check the availability of nearby retirement communities, independent living, and assisted living communities. Check what care services and facilities they provide to make sure your father will have the care he needs while letting your mother retain some independence. This may also come down to financial considerations – can you afford care for both parents?

How to handle a separation

If you come to the conclusion that separating your parents is necessary, then here are some tips for making it easier for everyone. You should try to be there for both parents. Arrange regular visits to the care home as well as to your parent still living at home. If the independent parent can no longer drive, then you can offer to drive them to make regular visits. It’s important to make a schedule that everyone’s happy with so that you don’t end up burning yourself out too much. Remember to take some time to take care of yourself, too.

Situations like these are never easy, but with the proper support and quality care facilities, you can get through it with strength. If one or both of your parents need assisted living care in Clemmons, NC, then contact Brookstone to arrange the best care to suit their needs. Get in touch today to ask us any questions or arrange a visit.