If you are thinking of providing care at home for your elderly loved ones, there are certain things you are going to need to be able to take care of them properly.  Here are a few things you might need, to help you get started in your preparations and plans.

• A wheelchair ramp.   If your loved one is in a wheelchair, or even if they just have a hard time navigating stairs, they’ll need a ramp going up the stairs into the house.
• A stair lift.  Stairs inside the house can be tricky too.  Indoors it’s best to have a stair lift to help your loved one get up and down without risking a fall.
• A lift chair.  A lift chair can be set in a sitting position, leaning back, or even fully extended, depending on which model you get.  This enables your loved one to stay as comfortable as possible, and also allows you or the nurse easy access if needed.
• A hospital bed and equipment.  Depending on how ill your loved one is, you may also need to rent a hospital bed and other equipment, such as an IV cart.

These are just a few of the things you will need.  Don’t forget that you will also need to ensure that an adult is around frequently enough to  provide the level of care your loved one requires.  If family members can’t work out a schedule between themselves, you may need to consider hiring a company that sends elder care providers to the home.

Finally, make sure you are prepared to make the kinds of changes necessary in your life — whether you are caring for your loved one in your home, someone else’s, or their own home, you will need to change your schedule and expectations now that they need more care.  It’s easier said than done, as my mom and her brother have found with their dad (my grandfather)!

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