Donna Hayes
UpdatedWed, July 22, 2026 at 3:38 PM UTC
(WGHP) — A new report from care.com finds that by the age of 34, many adults care for their own children as well as their parents. In 80% of the cases, they became dual caregivers suddenly after a parent suffered a medical emergency or an accident that left them impaired
In Successful Aging, we want to look at what you should be doing now if you want to remain independent as you get older or want to help a parent age successfully at home. It’s imperative that you plan ahead and that your loved ones know your plan
Begin by doing a home safety check. You may not be physically able to make needed repairs later, so get the leaky roof fixed or loose handrails on steps tightened
Make sure the home is well lit, especially around the stairs and in hallways. Add motion sensor lights to bathrooms so the light comes on when you walk in. Never enter a dark room. That’s a fall hazard
Get rid of the clutter. That gets harder as you get older. You especially want to keep the floors clear. Again, that’s another fall hazard
Check the floors. Carpeting should be firmly secured with no loose areas. If you have area rugs, make sure they have a non-slip backing so they don’t slide with you
Add a shower chair and grab rails to the bathroom. That will allow you to safely get in and out of the shower or tub and consider getting a walk-in shower so you don’t have to step over the side of the tub
That’s a big fall risk
If you want to age at home, there are some other considerations. How will you handle your personal care? If you need help bathing, dressing, or eating, who will be there to help? Is there a home health agency? Do you need to be put on a waiting list for help? And can you afford the cost?
Will it be covered by Medicare or insurance? Check your plan now
How will household chores get done if you can’t do them yourself? Can you afford a maid service to sweep, do the laundry, and take out the trash?
What about meal preparation? Many stores now deliver groceries, but you still need to cook the food
If you can’t stand long enough, consider adding a stool in the kitchen so you can sit while you cook
Look into your local Meals on Wheels to have food delivered, or consider a meal delivery service such as Factor
As you age, you may not be able to drive. How will you handle transportation? Some medical facilities offer shuttles. You also have services such as Uber and Lyft available, but those can get pricey
And consider money management now. How will you pay your bills? Most companies will let you set up automatic payments now. If you’re still writing checks, make sure someone you trust is also on the account so they can write checks on your behalf
It’s a good idea to go ahead and learn about community ree a department of senior services. People there can help you learn what’s available, what you need to qualify for the service, and whether it’s covered by Medicare or Medicaid
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