If you’re becoming a family caregiver, there are a few bases you need to cover to ensure your loved one is well cared for.
It might have begun informally, with a little help here and there. Picking up a few things at the grocery store for your aging parent. Dropping off the extra dinner you made while preparing your own family’s meal. Or simply just spending extra time visiting to ensure things are ok.
You may be discovering that, over time, more care is becoming necessary. Do you think you’re up to the task of becoming a family caregiver for a senior loved one?
A caregiver’s job is truly fulfilling. It also includes a tremendous amount of responsibility, which may feel intimidating. These strategies can help you make sure the bases are covered in taking care of a senior loved one.
Safety
There are two main components to safety for seniors:
- Security at Home: Strengthen the safety of the senior’s home by installing a peep hole in the door and locks that are both sturdy and easy for the senior to use. It’s also a smart idea to take the senior’s name off the mailbox to keep con artists from trying to gain access by pretending they know the senior. There should be plenty of exterior lighting. Implement motion-detection sensors that turn lights on when triggered.
- Fall Risk Reduction: Senior falls can be devastating. Avoid falls by eliminating throw rugs and other tripping hazards, installing secure handrails and grab bars, and removing all clutter and low furniture around the senior’s walking paths.
Managing Money
If the elderly individual is challenged by cognitive impairment, like dementia, it’s especially important to assist with finances. However, in any situation, it’s a wise idea to communicate with your aging parent to go over bank accounts, bills, insurance coverage, etc. to make certain that, if the time comes that you need to take over these tasks, you’re fully prepared.
Companionship
Spending quality time with a loved one is a very important aspect of being a caregiver. While sharing a cup of coffee and chat may be an everyday occurrence for you, for an isolated senior, it could mean the world. Be certain never to let all of the essential tasks overshadow the need to simply enjoy quality time with one another.
Overall Health
Tending to an older loved one’s health and well-being involves ensuring physical exercise, healthy eating and sleep habits, and proper medication management. Engaging in healthy lifestyle choices together is a good way to avoid the sense of being overbearing or parenting your parent. Sign up together for an exercise, swimming, or dance class. Test out new recipes together. Pick up a pill organizer, if the senior isn’t already using one, so medications are taken just as prescribed by the doctor. And if the senior agrees with the idea, attending doctors’ visits together can help ensure that all questions are answered and recommendations are understood.
How Home Care Can Help
Finding a care partner is vital for both your parent’s health and your own. No one can be expected to manage all the care needs necessary on their own. Inspired Home Care’s experts in Algonquin home health care offer respite care solutions that allow family caregivers time to step away for breaks from care – as much or as little as needed. Call us at 847-787-7572 for a no-cost in-home consultation for more information. To find out if our award-winning care is available in your community, please visit our Locations Served page.