Your first several months as a caregiver are bound to bring up many questions. Use the following list of FAQs to get started on finding the answers you need to make the best decisions for your aging loved one’s care.
1. How Do I Help My Loved One Retain Independence?
Helping your loved one retain independence allows you to watch him or her flourish. However, it’s all too easy for seniors to become dependent on care provided to them. Work with your loved one’s physician and other caregivers to find ways to promote appropriate levels of independence. From using dressing aids to ergonomic tools in the kitchen, there are likely solutions to the problems your loved one encounters.
2. What’s the Best Way to Address Personal Hygiene Issues?
Personal hygiene care is a delicate issue family caregivers must address to protect their loved one’s health. Naturally, you or your loved one may find tasks such as assisting with toileting generate embarrassment. While you can use strategies such as draping to preserve your loved one’s dignity, you can also talk about having a professional caregiver handle these duties if that’s what your loved one prefers.
If your senior loved one needs professional in-home care in Tucson, Home Care Assistance is here to help. We are a trusted provider of respite and 24-hour care, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care for seniors.
3. How Can I Get My Other Family Members to Help Out?
Families are often unaware of how much the primary caregiver does. Host a family meeting and share a little bit about what a normal daily routine involves for you and your loved one. Identify your family members’ strengths and ask if they could help with specific tasks. Your family members may want to help once they know what you need.
4. What Are the Signs of Burnout?
You’ll hear about burnout quite a bit when you talk to other caregivers. However, you’re likely wondering how you can tell the difference between burnout and normal stress. Typically, burnout occurs as a response to stress, and you can identify it by changes in your emotions and behaviors, such as feeling exhausted all the time or failing to find joy in your day. Burnout is preventable, and you should take any of these signs as a signal you need to reach out for help.
5. What Is Respite Care?
Respite care involves having a professional caregiver step in to take over your duties for a few hours or days. You should consider this type of care if you don’t have help from other people so you can avoid burnout. You can also use respite care to free up time to manage other responsibilities, such as working or raising your children.
There are a variety of reasons family caregivers should consider respite care. Tucson, AZ, families often have additional responsibilities that make it more challenging to provide the care their senior loved ones need and deserve. A professional respite caregiver can take over your important caregiving duties, allowing you more time to focus on yourself.
6. How Can I Get My Loved One to Accept Help from Another Caregiver?
While it’s sweet that your loved one prefers your help, the truth is you cannot do it all. If your loved one balks at the idea of having a professional caregiver help, try shifting his or her perspective. For instance, you could let your loved one know that having someone clean the house once a week gives you more time to spend together. You can also suggest a short trial run to get your loved one used to the idea.
7. How Often Should We Change the Care Plan?
Senior care plans should be reviewed at least every few months to a year. However, your loved one’s plan may need to be changed sooner if he or she experiences a major change in health or abilities. Make sure to share any changes in the care plan with other involved parties, such as your family and your loved one’s professional caregivers.
If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional senior home care, Home Care Assistance should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults manage their health and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years. Call (520) 276-6555 today to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our qualified Care Managers.