As a child—whether an only child or one of several siblings—you should start thinking early on about the topic of “caring for your parents as they age.” As long as parents are still active, mentally sharp, and not dependent on outside help, there’s no reason not to let them stay in their own home or in their familiar surroundings. But what if parents develop dementia, become ill, or grow frail? Then you need to have a solution ready and make a decision as quickly as possible—one that ultimately affects not only the parents but, in most cases, also marks the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of their adult children. Timely advice, preparation, and planning to be ready for all eventualities are the be-all and end-all. In the event of illness or normal frailty of old age, where a parent is dependent on outside help, there are various options for how to proceed:
Mobile Care – In-Home Nursing Care
Throughout Austria, various organizations—such as the Red Cross, Caritas, Hilfswerk, and Volkshilfe—offer in-home nursing care and mobile care services. These mobile care services provide support in all situations. They assist not only those in need but also their family members. Because hospital stays are becoming shorter and shorter, and many children of elderly, frail people do not want them to end up in a nursing home, many children and other family members are turning to this care option—now recognized throughout Europe—which allows older adults to remain in their familiar surroundings and retain a degree of independence, as far as possible.
Nursing homes or assisted living facilities
This option is suitable when a person is elderly but still largely able to manage daily life independently. Trained senior caregivers and professional senior care services simply provide variety in the senior’s daily routine and are on hand in case of an emergency. Full-time meal service is also included in this care option for one’s own parents. However, an agreement must be reached regarding who will cover the costs. As a rule, the children end up footing the bill if the parents do not have the necessary financial resources themselves.
Admission to a nursing home
If one of your parents is no longer able to manage daily life due to health reasons and relies on basic care support, there is often no other option but to place your loved one in a nursing home. This is an obvious choice, especially these days, since in most cases the adult children are working themselves and have their own families to care for. Caring for an elderly, sick person also requires a massive time commitment that almost no one can spare anymore. Unless the parents have sufficient financial resources, the costs must once again be borne by the children, and these can easily run into the three-digit euro amounts per month.
24-Hour In-Home Care
Some children choose in-home care for personal or financial reasons. This type of care is particularly worth considering if the children are not working full-time. Alternatively, taking a leave of absence is also an option; in Austria, employers typically grant such leave without much difficulty. Nevertheless, it’s important to realize that caring for an elderly or ill person is no walk in the park, and as a layperson, you’ll quickly reach your limits. It is therefore advisable to hire a trained caregiver, such as a senior care provider, who can assist you at home, at least on an hourly basis. This is also relatively affordable, as these costs will most likely be covered by the standard care allowance provided in Austria.
Conclusion: If you start thinking about this issue early enough, you’ll surely have the best solution for everyone involved when the time comes. The important thing is to include the elderly person in the decision-making process; otherwise, they might end up feeling like they’ve been pushed aside!
