For reasons like pride and privacy many seniors are hesitant to accept help from an “outsider” like a professional caregiver. As their loved one, finding the right time and place to discuss the topic of home care can be challenging. Here are some tips to help the process go more smoothly.
Caring for an aging in place elderly loved one is even more challenging when you live over an hour away. Long distance caregiving services you may have to provide could run the gamut from helping your loved one manage their finances, to coordinating their doctor appointments and medical insurance.
Your elderly father lives alone and was recently hospitalized for a serious illness. Dad’s back at home again, but while he was in the hospital some “bad blood” between you and your siblings resurfaced. As a result, you’re now concerned that those old childhood rivalries will keep dad from getting the best care possible once his health starts to decline. What should you do?
Your aging mother died a few months ago after a long illness, leaving your elderly father alone in the house they once shared. Ever since mom’s death, dad just hasn’t been the same and you suspect he may be suffering from loneliness. He’s not eating right, keeping up his appearance, and has even stopped meeting his friends for morning coffee.
Providing daily living assistance to an aging in place loved one is highly rewarding, but it’s also sometimes tiring and frustrating. Caregiver stress is common, or even a clinical condition known as “caregiver burnout”, which can lead to strained relationships with coworkers and close family members.
Although highly rewarding, serving as a family caregiver for an elderly loved one comes with many challenges, like stress, fatigue, and finding enough time in a day. Caring for an at-home senior can also be risky and dangerous, as thousands of family caregivers are injured every year while assisting loved ones.
Now that you’re in your late 70s, it’s become harder just to get around. Routine daily activities are now difficult, and your doctor mentioned recently it may be time to give up the car keys. The house is a mess, you just fell (again) in the bathroom, and preparing healthy meals for one just doesn’t make sense. You decided long ago not to be a burden to your kids, but you also want to continue enjoying the comfort and freedom living at home affords you. Is it seriously time to consider some caregiving assistance?
Serving as a caregiver for an elderly loved one, like a parent, is time-consuming. When you have a job, like 60% of all family caregivers do, it’s hard to find enough hours in the day. At that point, separating caregiving and work becomes nearly impossible. What should you do, especially if their condition worsens? There are several proven ways to balance caregiving and work.
Your elderly father has lived by himself at home ever since your mother passed away several years ago. Although he loves the freedom and independence aging in place affords him, lately you’ve noticed that living alone has become a challenge due to his deteriorating health. You’re contemplating asking him to move into your home so that you can monitor his activities and provide care when needed. But caring for an aging parent in your home presents its own unique set of challenges which you will need to carefully consider first.
When serving as a spousal caregiver, you won’t be able to continue caring for an ill spouse if you get injured, become ill or disabled yourself. That’s why it’s so important to know your limitations. If you’re not careful as a caregiver, the marital happiness you once enjoyed can slip into feelings of duty, sadness and even resentment. When caring for an ill spouse, not feeling constantly overwhelmed requires taking several steps to ensure you’re able to provide the love and comfort your partner needs as you work together through life’s inevitable challenges.
