Sharing a home with an elderly loved one can be an amazing experience. Family caregivers like you that open your home to another are being very selfless with your time and space. The elderly person benefits because they get to be cared for by a relative, giving them a sense of comfort because they have support in their golden years. Of course, as good as it can be, there’s no doubt that sharing a home usually means that there will be a reduction in your privacy.
So what does it take to make sure that you will still have the time and space to enjoy being alone or with a spouse without jeopardizing the health and wellness of your elderly loved one? The answer isn’t that simple, but there are several areas that you can focus on to ensure that you still have some privacy.
Off-Limits Space for Both of You.
Everyone should be able to have a place where they can retreat and be themselves but in a multi-generational household, sometimes that can be difficult. The bedroom is usually the best place to put off limits to each other. As long as it is a place where family caregivers can be alone to do what they want, such as have private conversations, practice a hobby, read, or even take a nap, without fear of another person interfering.
It’s important to have a conversation about not entering each other’s space unless invited. Too many family caregivers don’t return the respect they want and barge into their elderly loved one’s private space because it’s in their house. Treat their room as you want yours to be. That way, you both will have an expectation of respect and honoring the agreement.
Get Help from the Outside.
There’s nothing noble or admirable about taking on every single caregiving task and refusing to spread out the duties among family members, home care agencies, and senior services in the city or county. Every chance you have to get a break to do the things you need to do will boost your mental health and make it more likely to avoid burnout.
Let your elderly loved one spend the night at a relative’s house for a day or two to give yourself some much-needed alone time in your home. Hire a home care assistant to get your elderly loved one up, washed, and dressed in the mornings while you take some time for yourself. Make arrangements for your elderly loved one to spend the day at the community senior center when they have interesting activities so you can enjoy some quiet privacy while they are gone.
Living with an elderly loved one can include a lot of wonderful experiences but it can also deal a serious blow to your privacy. The best way to maintain good mental health and avoid burnout is to set up some house rules on privacy and work hard to guard it.
If you or an aging loved one needs caregiver services in Roseville, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
Source:
http://www.nextavenue.org/full-house-guide-surviving-multigenerational-living/
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