Adult Children Tell-All: We Want Our Parents to Age in the Comfort of Their Own Home
When the kids start to fly the coop, the next family members to focus your energy on are typically your aging parents. Senior Helpers—one of the largest providers of in-home senior care—conducted a national survey to gauge Baby Boomer attitudes on their aging parents. As it turns out, the kind of care our aging parents will receive is something Generation Xers and Baby Boomers are already worrying over and want to talk about.
One thousand men and women between the ages of 45 and 64 participated in the nationwide survey. Unsurprisingly, a whopping eighty-five percent of those surveyed would prefer their parents to age at home, rather than in a professional care facility. And for good reason- research indicates when post-op seniors receive at-home care, they are more likely to recover without additional trips to the hospital (here).
However, according to those surveyed, there are other benefits to seniors receiving in-home care as well. Nearly 60 percent of participants share the sentiment thatcare for seniors is “more positive” in the home than at assisted living communities, and that their parents still live at home “because of the comfort and dignity associated with living independently.”
“There is a great sense of comfort and security in your own home that you don’t get elsewhere, which often grows strongeras we age.” said Peter Ross, chief executive officer and president of Senior Helpers. “We wanted to figure out how adult children felt about the care options, in-home or otherwise, their parents received, especially sincethey are usually the ones making this decision.”
However difficult it may be to see one’s parents age, it does not seem to be a topic that Boomers shy away from. Over half of Senior Helpers’ survey respondents think finding senior living arrangements for their parents or loved ones is a natural part of life and feel comfortable enough to talk about long-term care options, although 60 percent did reveal they haveconcerns about juggling the well-being of their loved ones with the responsibilities of caring for their own families. It can take a physical and emotional toll on both the child and the parent when caretaker responsibilities fall to the adult child. As a senior, losing your independence can be a tough pill to swallow, while it can negatively affect the health of the adult children who provide care for aging parents.
“We recognize that finding and discussing senior care options can be tough. But it’s an important conversation to have to ensure everyone’s health and well-being are top of mind,” Ross said. “Every family is different, so there is not a one size fits all solution. Overall, we encourage people to be realistic of the care they can provide and know when to ask for assistance.”
For more information on options in senior care, visit Senior Helpers at https://www.seniorhelpers.com/.
Author
Chris Buitron, chief marketing officer, Senior Helpers
Category: Articles, Baby Boomer, Blog
