We all hope to live full and independent lives well into our 80s and 90s, but the reality is that sometimes people need at least some help managing their day-to-day tasks as they get older. Often this help comes from our adult children who might provide just a couple of hours of assistance each week or perhaps much more help. While running a few errands or helping with a few chores might not be difficult, if your parent needs more help, this can put stress on your daily life. Here are a few ways to reduce the stress and make life easier for everyone.
Take stock of your parent's home and do what you can to make it easier for them to deal with daily tasks. For instance, area rugs and loose carpeting can be hazardous as well as uneven flooring areas, so remove rugs and fix up flooring. Add handles in the bathroom and non-skid mats to the tub or even install a sit-down tub to make bathing easy and safe. Remove stairs in the front or backyard and replace them with ramps, and be sure there are sturdy rails to grab. In the bedroom, make sure the bed is low enough to get in and out of easily and put a nightlight in every room.
Other ways to make independent life easier include taking stock of the kitchen. Make sure plates, cups and other items are easy to access and not too high or that drawers are easy to open. Be sure the cupboards are stocked with canned and dry goods and a few frozen dinners are on hand, so that there is always something to eat. Also consider buying an easy to use electric can opener, well as a toaster oven and microwave to make meal preparation faster. Daily pill organizers can ensure that medicines are taken regularly and can be placed on a kitchen counter.
It's also wise to have a conversation with your parent about finances. At some point, you also will want to talk about wills, trusts and directives. It's good to know where information is kept in case of emergency, but if your parent seems to need or want some help with paying bills and managing a budget, you need to know the location of all of the pertinent information. If their budget permits, it might be nice to have some in-home care. This might include having someone come in and complete housekeeping chores once each week and perhaps assisting with shopping, grooming and dressing chores.
To find an in-home caregiver, it is easiest to find a screening service that identifies and researches various caregivers and companies to find the best ones in your area. CarePlacement.com, for example, researches licensed in-home caregivers, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and other eldercare options. They will take down a list of your current needs as well as how much you can afford and provide you with a list of candidates to consider.
During the interview process, bring some questions to ask and be sure to jot down the answers that are given as well as your own general impressions of each person. Ask them about their previous experience and what services they can provide. Ask them about why they decided to become a caregiver, and also ask about what happens if they cannot make it to work on a specific day. Will there be a temporary replacement? Ask for references and if they work for an agency, ask the agency's management team about how their employees are screened and whether there are background checks completed for each caregiver.
Take stock of your parent's home and do what you can to make it easier for them to deal with daily tasks. For instance, area rugs and loose carpeting can be hazardous as well as uneven flooring areas, so remove rugs and fix up flooring. Add handles in the bathroom and non-skid mats to the tub or even install a sit-down tub to make bathing easy and safe. Remove stairs in the front or backyard and replace them with ramps, and be sure there are sturdy rails to grab. In the bedroom, make sure the bed is low enough to get in and out of easily and put a nightlight in every room.
Other ways to make independent life easier include taking stock of the kitchen. Make sure plates, cups and other items are easy to access and not too high or that drawers are easy to open. Be sure the cupboards are stocked with canned and dry goods and a few frozen dinners are on hand, so that there is always something to eat. Also consider buying an easy to use electric can opener, well as a toaster oven and microwave to make meal preparation faster. Daily pill organizers can ensure that medicines are taken regularly and can be placed on a kitchen counter.
It's also wise to have a conversation with your parent about finances. At some point, you also will want to talk about wills, trusts and directives. It's good to know where information is kept in case of emergency, but if your parent seems to need or want some help with paying bills and managing a budget, you need to know the location of all of the pertinent information. If their budget permits, it might be nice to have some in-home care. This might include having someone come in and complete housekeeping chores once each week and perhaps assisting with shopping, grooming and dressing chores.
To find an in-home caregiver, it is easiest to find a screening service that identifies and researches various caregivers and companies to find the best ones in your area. CarePlacement.com, for example, researches licensed in-home caregivers, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and other eldercare options. They will take down a list of your current needs as well as how much you can afford and provide you with a list of candidates to consider.
During the interview process, bring some questions to ask and be sure to jot down the answers that are given as well as your own general impressions of each person. Ask them about their previous experience and what services they can provide. Ask them about why they decided to become a caregiver, and also ask about what happens if they cannot make it to work on a specific day. Will there be a temporary replacement? Ask for references and if they work for an agency, ask the agency's management team about how their employees are screened and whether there are background checks completed for each caregiver.
About the Author:
Agatha Lebouef enjoys reading home health care blogs. For more details about assisted living facilities in La Mesa or for expert help searching board and care Aliso Vejo homes for your loved ones, please go to the Care Placement website today.
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