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Should Adult Children Take Care of Dying Parents at Home?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Adult children should take care of dying parents at home if their loved one wants to remain there and they can meet the necessary care requirements. The National Institute on Aging identifies four primary areas of care needed at life’s end: safety and practical needs, spiritual support, mental health, and physical comfort. Hospice services can help meet these needs, providing support to both the dying loved one and the family caregivers. Additionally, death doulas offer support to families throughout the end-of-life process and during grieving.
How Do I Prepare to Care for a Dying Parent at Home?
Prepare to care for a dying parent at home by assessing and addressing their essential care needs. Start by rearranging furniture on the first floor to eliminate fall hazards and make room for necessary medical equipment like hospital beds, bedside commodes, wheelchairs, or walkers. Ensure there’s ample space for caregivers to navigate easily and for visitors to spend time with your parent comfortably.
Offer your parent food and drinks regularly, but understand that most people have a limited appetite at the end of life. Pressure sores, or bedsores, become a concern for older adults who spend most of their time in bed. Degenerative tissue breakdown makes it more difficult for the person’s body to heal these wounds. Help your family member change positions every two hours if they require mobility assistance, and have another person on hand to assist with safe transfers. Make sure to keep the skin clean and dry, especially if your loved one wears adult undergarments.