You already know about Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, and likely put a tremendous amount of thought and consideration into how you are going to celebrate these holidays with your parents. What if, however, you are caring for an elderly adult who is your in-law? July 30 is Father-in-Law Day. This is the ideal opportunity for you to not only show your appreciation for your aging in-law, but also to celebrate the special role that you have in their life. While doing this, however, you must also wonder if there are any special considerations that may go into caring for a parent-in-law as opposed to your own parent. Evaluating your feelings on this topic can help you to not only make a confident decision about your care journey, but also to ensure that you are doing everything that you can to ensure that this care relationship is as beneficial as possible.
Some things to keep in mind if you are considering becoming a caregiver for your in-law include:
- Your relationship. Just as it is important that you keep your relationship with your parent in mind if you are going to be a caregiver for them, you must evaluate the relationship that you maintain with your in-law to determine if you will be able to give them the care that they need. Remember, however, that even if you have a strained relationship, this may be a good way for you to work on your differences and build a better bond.
- Your partner’s involvement. This in-law is your partner’s parent. This means that you may have expectations for how involved they should be in this senior’s care. You may feel upset or even bitter about being expected to take on these responsibilities if your partner is not doing enough. Take time to talk to your partner about their involvement in their parent’s care and how you need them to support you to ensure this relationship works out properly.
- Your limitations. It is very likely that the limitations that you have regarding your in-law’s care will be different from those that you may have if caring for your own parent. Be honest with yourself about these limitations so that you can take the proper steps to address them.
If you are concerned that you are not able to fulfill your aging in-law’s needs as well as they deserve, now may be the ideal time for you to consider elderly care. An elderly home care services provider can step in to fill care gaps created by your distance, schedule restraints, or physical or emotional challenges that keep you from being able to handle the tasks. This ensures that your loved one gests the level of care that they need and deserve even if you are not able to do it for them, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to focus your energy and attention on the tasks that you are able to perform, and on the special relationship that you have with this senior.
For elderly care in Southern NJÂ and the surrounding areas, call and talk to us at Home to Stay Healthcare Solutions (856) 321-1500.
