The Caring Corner®
Prepare Yourself for Being a Caregiver
Many families face the prospect of caring for family members as they age. It can be especially daunting for the children to make sure their parents have the care they need. One of the most important things to do to care for aging parents is to make sure the legal work is done. It is important to have powers of attorney for health and finances and current wills. Try to have an open dialogue about finances and their wishes and preferences. If your parents are hesitant to answer some of the questions, you might ask what their friends are doing. That way the pressure is taken off of them and it gives each parent some time to reflect on what they might want and feel is important.
If both parents are still living independently, they may support one another and not feel the need to include you on every detail that they have discussed. Be aware of any changes or difficulty they may encounter as they age, so that you may offer some input or suggestions to make transitions easier. Decisions should be made about whether they will age in place at their home or possibly move to a retirement facility with assisted living and nursing services. If their needs become too much for your family to handle daily, it may be a good idea to hire someone to come into the home to help out. If they choose to stay in the home, look at ways to improve the safety in the home by adding a walk-in shower or adding support bars in a bathroom.
It is a good idea to spend some time investigating the resources available in the state and community to ensure they have the best care and services provided to them. Also, learn about end-of-life care and hospice care so that you can discuss the different options with your parents. Most of all, don’t make promises you can’t keep, but assure your parents that you will do your best to follow their wishes.
Looking for in home care givers for yourself or a loved one?
Acorn can help! We serve Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh and surrounding areas.
