Caregiving Action Plan For Aging Parents
Caring for older parents’ family members can be both rewarding and challenging. Home Care Inc. provides primary caregiver services for elderly parents. You can look into our various services, such as housekeeping and care for special cases. Please see our most recent news for more information. If you have any further questions, please read our Frequently Asked Questions or call us at (833) 243-4968.
People in their 50s and 60s choose to stay in their own homes or apartments and stay there as long as possible. It’s important to be ready for the physical and emotional demands of taking care of our elderly loved ones.
Action Plan For Caring For Aging Parents
Our country’s population is aging. More and more families are caring to elderly relatives at home. They want to spend as much time as possible in their homes or apartments.
The following are some things you can do to assist you in caring for an aging family member.
1. Understand The Changes That Come With Aging
As you get older, you may require assistance with daily activities. For example, you may require assistance getting ready in the morning, bathing, and using the restroom. We may also struggle to hear, see, or remember what we want to say or see.
2. Be Prepared For Medical Appointments
Older people may see a lot of different doctors and specialists. It can be very helpful to list all the medicines your loved one takes. You may also include any important medical information that you need to know.
3. Create A Support Network
Taking care of an elderly loved one can be stressful. Seek the help and support of family and friends. Caregivers can also take advantage of a variety of community resources. It includes respite care, support groups, and home health care.
4. Take Care Of Yourself
Caring for an aging loved one can be physically and emotionally demanding. Be sure to take time for yourself and do things that make you happy. Exercise, eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep.
5. Plan For The Future
You and your loved one should think about the future and make plans. Have a power of attorney if you need to make medical decisions on their behalf. Talk about your loved one’s end-of-life care plans. Also, think about taking a break from caring for people from time to time to avoid burnout. Respite care can give caregivers a break for a short time.
6. Be Proactive
The best time to make a plan for caring for an aging parent is before the person is sick or can’t make decisions on their own. Start by setting up a meeting with your family. You should invite your parents with other family members who might be able to help with the care of your parent.
Don’t let the fact that your family lives far away keep them from helping you find an elder care solution. Loved ones from all over the world can join in with a video conferencing system, like Skype. You need a webcam, an internet connection, and a web-savvy teenager to set it all up.
7. Name A Facilitator
An objective family member can aid in the smooth running of a meeting about elder care solutions. You’d like your parents to be able to gather you all in a meeting or anybody from the family, but no one can do it. You might want to consider hiring a third party to assist your family in getting together and working together. The meeting can be facilitated by someone who works with older people. You should inquire with your local agency for the elderly to see if they can assist you in finding someone who can do this.
8. Identify Needs
For Dad’s sake, write down everything you can do to help him have the best life possible. To make it easier for you, try to break down the tasks of caring for aging parents that you can do over time. Make a list of the things they (Dad) require assistance with on a daily basis, such as shaving and cooking. Next, determine what tasks must be completed each week, such as bill payments and bank deposits. You can also go grocery shopping and do laundry each week.
It is important to document every time you discover a need for an elder care service. A good old-fashioned pen and paper will always save the day when it comes to remembering and identifying everything that needs to be done. A whiteboard, which is available at any office supply store, maybe preferable on writing down tasks so that everyone in the meeting can see them.
9. Ask For Help
When you’ve determined what needs to be done when caring for your parents, it’s time to decide who will do it. Assume that a nursing home or assisted living facility is not the best option for your loved one. In that case, you may need to hire a primary caregiver to take care of them.
Even if one person is in charge of 24-hour care, everyone in the family must contribute in some way. Match a member of your family with a job that allows them to use their skills. It might be advantageous if your sister has medical training. She can explain medical terms to you and your family. Even teenagers can assist by performing chores such as mowing the grass or raking the leaves on the lawn.
When asking your family for assistance with an elder care solution, be realistic about your expectations. If your sister is allergic to cats, don’t expect her to change your father’s cat’s litter boxes. Similarly, a brother who has a special needs child may be unable to provide full-time care for his mother.
To sum up, it is always better and more ideal to get help from family members. Who can and will take care of your parents when they need it and share the work with the rest of the family.
10. Meet Regularly
Because caring for aging parents can be a long-term job and meet often. Find a meeting time that works best for you and your family, whether once a month or twice a year. It gives you a chance to meet new needs. For example, Mom might not be able to do the most basic personal care tasks after having a stroke.
It’s also an excellent time to think about how you should care for an aging parent. A granddaughter who goes to college might not have as much time to assist Grandma. Check to see if another member of your family can help.
Family gatherings aren’t usually the best place to talk about finding an eldercare solution. After all, it’s easier to talk about the girl you and your siblings went to high school with. Yet, you owe it to your family and your parents to take some time to think about how you will be taking care of parents in old age.
Why Should I Trust My Loved One to Home Care?
You are the most qualified to care for your loved one. Sometimes, you may require a break from taking care of an elderly parent in your home. In-home caregivers can provide you with that break while allowing your parents to remain in the comfort of their own homes.
Home care services are available in a variety of forms, allowing you to select the level of care that best meets the needs of your loved one. Home care services come in a variety of forms. It can help in bathing and dressing, as well as light housework and meal preparation. Some home care agencies also offer additional services. It includes skilled nursing care as well as physical and occupational therapy for those who require it.
Before you make a decision, research the home care agency you intend to hire. It’s important to learn about the agency’s licenses and accreditations. You should also inquire about how they screen caregivers for background checks. You should also inquire about the services they provide. Check to see if they have prior experience caring for people similar to your loved one.
When someone requires assistance at home, the cost of services varies depending on the type and amount of assistance required. Private pay, long-term care insurance, and Medicare are all accepted by many home care agencies.
Make contact with a number of home care agencies. If you want to care for a loved one, learn more about them and compare prices. Before finalizing the transaction, inquire about any available deals or promotions.
It can be difficult to care for an aging family member on your own. Home Care For elderly parents could be the solution. You can relax knowing that your loved one is being cared for by a professional while still living in their own home when you work with Home Care Inc. If you’d like to learn more about our services, please contact us at (833) 243-4968.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the answer to caring for aging parents?
Enroll your elderly relative in an adult day program for socialization and care, as well as much-needed rest for you. Hire in-home caregivers to give you regular breaks. Look for a senior companion program that accepts volunteers in your area. To get a longer break, use a respite care service.
Why is it important to look after your parents?
Providing good elderly care, either on your own or with the assistance of professionals, prevents them from feeling isolated and depressed. You help to maintain a sense of community and social life for them, which empowers and energizes them. Learn about their values.
What are the requirements for taking care of a family?
Bathing, eating, dressing, toileting, and grooming are all examples of personal care.
Cooking, cleaning, laundry, and financial management are all examples of household responsibilities. Medication management, doctor appointments, and physical therapy are all part of health care. Companionship, meaningful activities, and conversation are all examples of emotional care.
What plans do you have in place to care for your parents in the future?
Making plans for your parents’ future:
- Hold the Family Meeting.
- Investigate Aging Care and Senior Housing Alternatives.
- Recognize Your Parent’s Requirements.
- Consider Your Requirements and Capabilities.
- Financial Planning Requirements
- Comprehensive legal and medical planning.
- Offer Emotional Support to Your Family (and to Yourself).
What can I do to assist my elderly parents?
Providing assistance to aging parents without being overbearing:
- Allow Aging Parents to Lead. If possible, work alongside your parents rather than for them.
- Allow Parents to Decide When and How You Help.
- Show respect.
- Install safety nets.
- Put their well-being first.
How do you spend time with your elderly parents?
- Maintain Constant Contact.
- Visit your parents more frequently.
- Encourage your elderly parents to attend social gatherings in their community.
- Take Your Aging Parents Out.
- Bring Your Elderly Parents to Your Office.
- Think About Hiring A Caregiver.
- Teach Your Parents How to Use Contemporary Technology.
