Caring for an Elderly Parent in Spain
Share the care of an ageing parent with your sibling and ask the council's social services for help.
In Spain families still do most elderly care, often splitting visits between siblings. The local ayuntamiento's servicios sociales run teleasistencia, an alarm-button service, and handle the valoración de dependencia that unlocks help at home or a centro de día. These cards follow two siblings organising care for their dad.
- 1
Mi padre ahora vive solo.
My dad lives on his own now.
- 2
Me paso a verle cada dos días.
I pop in to see him every other day.
- 3
Cada vez se le olvidan más cosas.
He's getting more and more forgetful.
- 4
El otro día se dejó el fuego encendido.
The other day he left the hob on.
- 5
No podemos seguir así.
We can't go on like this.
- 6
¿Habéis pensado en la teleasistencia?
Have you thought about the care alarm service?
- 7
Tendría un botón para pulsar si se cae.
He'd have a button to press if he falls.
- 8
Hay que pedirla a través de servicios sociales.
You have to apply for it through social services.
- 9
Se niega a tener a alguien en casa.
He refuses to have anyone in the house.
- 10
No quiere sentirse una carga.
He doesn't want to feel like a burden.
- 11
Podríamos turnarnos los fines de semana.
We could take turns at weekends.
- 12
Yo me encargo de sus citas médicas.
I'll take care of his medical appointments.
- 13
Papá, ¿te has tomado las pastillas hoy?
Dad, have you taken your pills today?
- 14
No os preocupéis por mí, estoy bien.
Don't worry about me, I'm fine.
- 15
Podríamos mirar algún centro de día.
We could look into a day centre.
- 16
Hay lista de espera para la valoración de dependencia.
There's a waiting list for the dependency assessment.
- 17
La verdad es que no puedo más.
Honestly, I can't take much more.
- 18
Tú también tienes que cuidarte.
You need to look after yourself too.
- 19
Lo hablamos con calma este finde.
Let's talk it over calmly this weekend.
- 20
Gracias por estar ahí.
Thanks for being there.