Taking Care of an Elderly Loved One at Home
If you’re taking care of an elderly loved one at home, it’s important to be aware that their needs can change. This is especially true if they have any serious health issues.
Make sure their home is safe by removing any tripping hazards and installing safety railings. Also, consider a medical alert system.
Assess their needs
If you’re taking care of an elderly loved one at home, it’s important to assess their needs. Do they need help getting around the house? Have you noticed any health-related issues, like frequent falls or a loss of balance? A good way to get a comprehensive list is to set out a notepad and make a quick note every time you or your elderly loved one helps them with something. After a week, you should have a thorough list of what they need and when.
Often, seniors need help with daily tasks like cooking, bathing, and shopping. In addition to these tasks, they also need to be reminded of medical appointments and prescription refills. If you can’t do all this yourself, consider forming a caregiving team including family members, friends, and neighbors. As you build your team, decide who will be responsible for specific tasks and at what times of the day. This will prevent you from becoming overburdened and ensure everyone is on the same page.
Another crucial aspect of home care is keeping your elderly loved one active and engaged in their community. Isolation is associated with poorer mental and physical health, so helping your loved one maintain a social life is vital. It could be as simple as encouraging them to attend family functions or joining a local arts program for seniors. It could even mean arranging transportation to church events and other places they want to go.
Finally, ensuring your elderly loved ones have adequate nutrition is a big part of their care. If they aren’t able to go out and shop for their own food, they may end up skipping meals or eating foods that are low in nutritional value. You can help them by setting up a delivery service, providing healthy snacks, and encouraging them to drink plenty of water.
Taking care of an elderly loved one at home can be very overwhelming. Taking care of yourself and forming a support network is key to your success as a caregiver. You can find assistance with everything from medication management to home repair by looking into government programs, private agencies, and other resources to help you care for your elderly loved one at home.
Set a schedule
Whether you’re doing the heavy lifting yourself or relying on home caregivers, balancing your parents’ care with your own life and commitments can feel challenging. As such, it’s important to establish a schedule that works for everyone involved. By setting a routine, you’ll be able to ensure your loved one has everything they need each day without feeling overwhelmed or overburdened. Creating a schedule can also help you determine the best times to do certain tasks, such as bathing or preparing for bed.
Creating a schedule can also be beneficial for your elderly parent, as it helps them to have some control over their daily activities. This can be especially helpful if they are suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s, as these types of conditions can often lead to feelings of helplessness and disorientation. A routine can help your loved one feel in control of their lives, boosting self-esteem and confidence.
Another tip is to have a contingency plan. This will come in handy if the person you’re taking care of suddenly gets sick or is called away for an emergency. By meeting with local home caregivers and determining who you can call on to fill in, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing your elderly loved ones are covered.
Finally, be sure to take time for yourself. Being a caregiver is a big undertaking and can easily leave you feeling exhausted and resentful. It’s important to take time for yourself and do the things you enjoy, as this will help you be a more effective caregiver. By making a schedule and sticking to it, you’ll be better equipped to help your elderly loved one have a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life. And remember, if at any point you’re struggling, ask for help. It’s not a sign of weakness to seek assistance from friends and family members, and home caregivers are also available for respite care. Just be sure to choose a home care agency that specializes in elder care. This will ensure your elderly loved ones get the highest level of care possible.
Talk to them
Discussing the prospect of in-home care with your aging loved ones can be difficult. Many seniors resist the idea of accepting help because they feel it will limit their independence and freedom. However, it is important to let your aging parents know that help does not mean giving up their freedom and that the decision to receive assistance is always theirs to make. You can talk to them about the benefits of in-home care, such as having someone to drive them to doctor appointments and grocery shopping or helping them to take medication and keep track of bills.
When it comes to talking to your elderly parents about in-home care, patience and persistence go a long way. Bombarding them with a lot of information in one sitting can trigger their fear of losing control and cause them to become defensive. Instead, try to come up with a plan together that will allow you to step in and fill in when your parent needs time to relax or recover from the burden of taking care of themselves. This could be as simple as asking your siblings to chip in with driving, picking up the groceries, or hiring an agency to help with daily tasks like bathing and meal preparation.
Empathy, not sympathy, is key when approaching the topic of in-home care with your aging parents. No one wants to be made a victim, and showing empathy will demonstrate that you truly care about their concerns and fears. It will also help you to build trust so they can feel comfortable opening up to you about their feelings and opinions.
In addition to discussing future plans, it is important to regularly check in with your aging parents and provide them with reassurance that they are still loved and cared for. This can be as simple as a phone call every other day or visiting them in their home for a few hours each week. During your visit, you can also routinely check their house to ensure everything is secure and clean.
Plan for the future
As your loved one ages and needs change, you should make plans for future care. This may involve bringing in professionals for assistance and guidance. You can find in-home care providers who can provide services for a range of activities, including meal preparation, bathing, laundry, and transportation.
These services can help you maintain a good quality of life while caring for your elderly parent. You can also work with a professional who can create a budget to cover your future needs and your aging parent. This can help avoid any financial disputes in the future, and it will also make it easier to plan ahead.
Talking about these issues can be challenging, but it’s important to have those conversations early. It will allow your loved one to express their wishes and preferences regarding future living arrangements, medical treatment, and caregiver assistance. It will also ensure that you are aware of any current health treatment plans and can provide appropriate support when necessary.
For those who live alone or have a small family, it can be a challenge to take on all caregiving responsibilities on their own. Consider asking friends and neighbors to pitch in with some of the tasks to ease the burden. Even if they can’t handle hands-on care, they can offer help by visiting often or running errands.
Another way to alleviate some of the stress associated with caregiving is to seek out support groups. Whether it’s an online forum or a support group at a local senior center, you can connect with others who are in similar situations and find valuable information on caring for an elderly loved one at home.
Encourage your loved one to stay active and get plenty of exercise, particularly if they’re starting to have trouble getting around the house on their own. This can help improve balance, energy, and brain health, among other things. A doctor can help determine what types of exercise are appropriate for your loved one.
You can also reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more about community programs and other resources that can help with the cost of caregiving. Many of these programs are free or may be covered by Medicare or long-term care insurance.
