Helping an older loved one requires some careful planning. At first, you may only know he or she is showing signs of facing challenges, or your loved one might have had a major health problem that changes how he or she lives at home. Working your way through these six steps can make it easier for you to develop a plan that gives your loved one the help he or she needs to thrive.
1. Determine the Severity of the Situation
The first thing you need to do is figure out how seriously your loved one needs help. Spend some time assessing the home for potential safety issues, and think about how your loved one moves around the house each day. This can help you determine how soon you need to take action. For instance, a senior who is immobile and being discharged from the hospital needs you to have arrangements for assistance in place before he or she comes home.
If your aging loved one is managing a serious illness and needs help accomplishing everyday tasks, he or she can benefit from Tucson live-in care. Seniors who need around-the-clock assistance can rely on professional live-in caregivers to prepare nutritious meals and snacks, assist with personal hygiene tasks like bathing and grooming, and provide timely medication reminders.
2. Talk to Your Loved One about His or Her Challenges
Seniors who are involved in making decisions about their care will be more likely to go along with their families’ plans. Ask what types of help your loved one feels like he or she needs. Take note if your loved one mentions feeling fearful of going about daily routines. Your loved one should also feel like he or she can do most of the routines without becoming exhausted or having too much pain. If your loved one mentions anxiety or concerns about getting injured, these are areas where you need to prioritize care.
3. Put Together a List of Needs
After you talk to your loved one, you may also want to speak with others who can help you identify his or her needs. Doctors, other family members, and neighbors are all good people to ask. Take notes on what these people have to say, and make sure to include some ideas of your own. Remember most seniors need help with personal hygiene, housekeeping, and daily meal preparation eventually. You’ll also want to remember social and emotional needs.
There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Home Care Assistance is a leading in-home care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.
4. Create a Team to Address Each Need
Take a good look at your list, and jot down a few names of people you think can help with each task. As you do, remember you don’t want anyone to be overloaded with your loved one’s care. Professional caregivers are essential people to add to this team. Not only will they be able to give other people a break, but they’re also highly trained in senior care.
5. Make Independence a Primary Goal
Your loved one should have all the assistance needed to feel safe at home. However, you don’t want to make the mistake of taking away your parent’s will to take care of his or her own health. Promoting independence for seniors involves giving them just the right amount of help to keep them safe while still encouraging them to do things on their own.
6. Put the Plan into Action
Once you have a plan, you need to work quickly to put it into action. This gives you the chance to help your loved one before he or she experiences an injury or other health issue. You’ll also be able to see how well your plan works. Be willing to adjust the plan as needed, and remember that planning a senior’s care often requires making changes over time.
Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional homecare Tucson seniors can trust and rely on. Home Care Assistance will work with you to customize a care plan that’s just right for your loved one’s needs. Call us today at (520) 276-6555 to discuss how we can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.