Aging is part of everyone’s life journey. As youngsters mature and become adults, there comes a time when they need to take care of their aging parents. Caring for parents is a crucial role in ushering them through the golden years since they deserve all the respect, even in old age.
However, this noble task comes with some complexities and challenges, especially for people who do not know much about caregiving. This post will share some tips everyone can consider as they create a plan to take care of their aging parent.
Conduct Needs Assessment
The first step adults should take is to understand their parents’ needs across all aspects of life. Assess their need for home safety, family support, personal care, mobility, exercise, social interaction, medical attention, and cognitive health.
All these aspects play a vital role in decision-making, particularly for those who would like to consider senior living options. Also, one should check on the existing support systems and note the areas that need improvement.
Determine How Much Care Each Family Member Can Offer
Everyone’s caregiving abilities vary no matter how much they love their parents. Therefore, their physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities determine how much they can do to take care of their elderly parents. Besides, families need to consider their parents’ needs. Some aging parents only require minimal help, while others need support with every task throughout the day or night.
For instance, one elderly parent may only need help to plan social and medical appointments or transportation. In contrast, another may need help with all the daily activities, from bathing and dressing to meal preparation, to stay healthy and safe.
Many seniors will need assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, transfers, walking, toiletry, and personal hygiene. Some parents also need assistance to prepare meals, manage business or money, use a telephone, or perform house chores.
Knowing what each elderly person needs helps one determine how much care they can provide and if they’ll need professional assistance at some point. Remember that adult children still need to go to work, take care of themselves and their children, and still provide relevant support to the aging parents.
Consult the Parents
Whether adult children choose to care for their aging parents or hire professionals, they need to involve their parents in the decision-making process. This helps them understand their parents’ expectations better and strive to meet them. In most cases, aging parents understand that their adult children have a lot to do and will be more understanding if they recommend assisted living or in-home caregivers.
For instance, parents who realize that their children cannot meet needs like taking them to medical appointments, planning or preparing meals, doing laundry, or providing extra help in the house can appreciate home health aides. Many reliable home care agencies provide trained individuals who can provide respite care.
These caregivers help with daily activities, medication management, and personal care. They also offer support and companionship, making life easier for everyone in the family.
Understand Financial Needs
The amount of money required to take care of older adults can be daunting, particularly for those who are doing it for the first time since they don’t know what to expect. For this reason, adult children need to understand the financial implications of each care decision they choose. Ideally, they need to consider the level of care required by their parent, current financial resources, and future expenses when choosing the type of care. It is advisable to consult financial experts for effective planning to avoid financial problems.
Financial professionals can help one determine if they will take care of their parents from home or move them to a community. Some of the common solutions include home care with a homemaker, home care with a home health aide, adult daycare, and a nursing home with semi-private or private rooms. The costs incurred vary, so one needs to pick the service they can pay for.
When assessing the options for the elderly parent, adults need to determine what their family can afford. It is always advisable to pick an option that is emotionally acceptable and economically viable for the adult children, their parents, spouses, and children.
Take Advantage of Insurance and Social Support programs.
Families with seniors should evaluate their financial situation. Some aging parents are entitled to senior social support and insurance coverage, which can provide disability, retirement, and family benefits. Most benefits are relatively low, which is why they cannot afford to pay for assisted living or home care on their own. This means that parents should use medical insurance programs such as Medicare and seek family financial support to get these essential services.
Some parents might have a private retirement plan, investments, or other sources of income that can cover their monthly expenses and ease the financial burden. Taking advantage of all the available social support programs reduces the financial burden.
So, families with aging parents should determine their financial status to choose appropriate care options. This might be challenging and confusing for some individuals, especially if it involves reverse mortgages, wills, trusts, and social security taxation. But with professional assistance, everything can be managed well.
Consider Estate Planning and Wills
While thinking about aging parent care, it is important to discuss living wills. This is a legal document that shows the parent’s preferences for end-of-life medical care. Often, the topic is sensitive and emotional, but it is one of the most vital aspects of caring for a parent.
The will is only implemented once an individual gets terminally ill. If an aging parent does not have a will, it is important to call an estate lawyer to discuss their wishes and put them in writing.
Prioritize Home Safety
While most aging parents prefer becoming residents in assisted living communities and nursing homes, some may opt to stay at home with the assistance of an in-home care provider. If a parent opts to stay home, changes may be needed to promote their safety. Just as people baby-proof their homes, it might be time to parent-proof the house to prevent accidents.
House modification may entail modifications and the installation of safety features such as railings, lighting, and grab bars. The lighting may need improvements, and the house may need de-cluttering. All these steps improve accessibility and promote safety.
These guidelines can help adult children easily navigate the challenges of caregiving with dignity. However, they should consider professional help when necessary to avoid burnout. Professionals have the relevant skills and experience to provide quality care and meet the unique needs of aging parents.
