At some point, your elderly parent may not be able to accomplish daily activities without assistance. In this instance, you might decide to step up to the challenge and become his or her caregiver. However, there are factors that must be considered before taking on the caregiving duties.
Have a Family Meeting
Sit down and talk to your loved one and other family members about the situation. Discuss the living arrangement, how caregiving activities can be divided among adult children, and how expenses might be paid. You should also consider your spouse and children if they’re part of the equation. Discuss how your lives will change and make a plan for how to proceed.
Families who need help caring for senior loved ones can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of elderly home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
Start Learning
Obtain all the information you can about your parent’s condition and the care he or she is going to need now and in the future. Learn about your loved one’s medications and recommended treatments. Depending on the level of care your parent needs, consider taking a basic caregiving course.
Get Organized
Make sure to review your parent’s existing legal documents and create new ones if the need arises. Legal considerations include a power of attorney that enables your parent to assign someone to act on his or her behalf in all financial matters. A medical power of attorney enables a designated individual to make decisions concerning medical care should the need arise. Your loved one might want to consider creating a living will so you and other family members understand the level of care to expect without exceeding his or her wishes. There should also be a will drawn up and an executor established in the event of your parent’s death.
Address Financial Matters
In addition to assuming the responsibility of managing monthly bills, you should understand the types of medical insurance your loved one has available. If further medical care is necessary, you’ll know what stipulations apply to the circumstances. Look into programs your parent may be qualified for. There are also programs that pay family caregivers, which alleviates some of the financial burdens that come with taking on caregiving duties.
One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide home care. Danville families can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties.
Explore Resources
Find out what resources might be available for you and your loved one within the community. In the event you need time off, in-home respite care services may be available for the time needed. Your parent might also qualify for low-cost or free home repairs and transportation services. Support groups provide opportunities for caregivers to gain information and have someone to talk to when issues arise.
Caring for senior loved ones can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is respite care. Danville families rely on our caregivers whenever they need time to rest, work, run errands, and even go on vacation. Whether your loved one needs help with daily tasks or you need a break from your caregiving duties, call Assisting Hands Home Care today.
