Most military spouses look forward to extended family visits. This is especially true when their serving spouse is overseas. It’s lonely being based hundreds of miles from your hometown, so every visit counts. The kids love having Gran and Gramps over for a few days. And if your partner is home, then you can take advantage of the extra childcare and enjoy some time together! Of course, there often comes a time when an elder relative needs to stay a bit longer. And if they need some extra care, then there might be a few extra tasks to take care of:
More Meals
When your senior relatives need to move in with you for a while, the first thing you’ll notice is all those extra meals. A fleeting visit usually calls for a takeaway or a nice restaurant. A long-term stay needs to be a bit more frugal. Special diets are the toughest things to integrate into your standard meal plan. It’s best to peruse a couple of recipe books to see what can be made that all the family will be happy to eat. Some elders also need a little help at mealtimes. Speak to their regular care provider to see what you can do to make things easier.
Changes Around The Home
If your relative is a little frail, chances are you will need to swap some rooms around to make them safer and more accessible. You can use services like Visiting Angels which provides an innovative alternative to home health care. Home visits from professionals like this can help you all provide the best care for your relative. Safety is paramount so you can receive advice and guidance on securing stairs and other trip hazards around your home.
Home Maintenance
All those chores you’ve been trying to put off until your spouse gets back might be best done now. You can hire a handy person to help you or find an afternoon to tackle them yourself. Once your relative has moved in, you might find time is even tougher to find. Fix the leaky guttering, clear the garden weeds, and make sure the furnace or boiler is ready for the extra demands of winter.
Paperwork
If your relative is living with you long term, you might need to let your spouse’s employer know. Chances are your relative’s bank and healthcare providers will need to know too. Getting all of the paperwork together can take time so it might be best to tackle this when everyone is together. There may be changes to taxes to consider. Most importantly, you need to check what needs to happen with your relative’s regular accommodation. Don’t forget to also let any home care assistance know if and where they will need the support.
Privacy
While your relative might love the company of the kids, everyone in the house needs a little privacy. Make sure your children know that Gran’s bedroom is off limits, and that bathroom schedules are there to give everyone enough time in the morning! Quiet time can be quite important for people that are frail and ill. Consider setting up a playroom in the garage or the den. Take care.
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