How To Be The Best Caregiver You Can Be
When your parents were younger, you probably never imagined that they would some day require your help, just to keep going.
But perhaps that day has come. The number of people over 65 is increasingly rapidly as modern medicine figures out more and more ways to cheat death.
Your mother or father may fall into the growing category of retired people who need help with one or more of the daily tasks of living: cooking, cleaning, bathing, and small home maintenance jobs, like changing light bulbs and installing new rolls of toilet paper.
Aging In Place Is What Your Parent Probably Wants
Caregiver Chaney, WA: Family Caregivers
Numerous surveys indicate that the elderly don’t want to end up in nursing homes. And a surprising number also don’t really want to move in with relatives. A mere four percent of the aged said they would like to move in with family, according to a survey by the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons).
Many of the elderly willingly downsize into smaller homes or apartments when they realize that they may have trouble with stairs or lawn care. But other oldsters want to stay right where they are. Chances are that, if your parent has not already moved to an age-friendly accommodation, she may not want to.
Coercing parents into nursing homes can be difficult. And it’s not good for the morale of the elderly to be pushed into a living situation that isn’t their choice. It can make parents and grandparents feel irrelevant and unwanted.
Being a Caregiver To the Elderly
Not everyone is cut out to be a caregiver to an aging parent. It does take some patience and creativity. The vast majority of caregivers are women, possibly because women learn to nurture while raising children.
Here are some things you will need to do if you become a caregiver for someone who is aging in place:
- Delegate some tasks. In most places, you can find somebody to cut the lawn once a month for fifty or sixty dollars. And if there are siblings and grandchildren who can take on some of the tasks of caregiving, by all means give them an opportunity to be involved.
- Include your parent whenever possible. Try to bring mom or dad along on family picnics, church services, birthday parties, etc. This will keep him or her from becoming socially isolated.
- Remove trip hazards. Examine your parent’s place for the most obvious trip hazards and make modifications. These modifications can be as simple as installing handrails for use with stairs and bathtubs and removing throw rugs.
- Don’t try to do everything. No one is going to be a perfect caregiver all the time. If the dishes go unwashed or you are late paying the bills, it’s not the end of the world.
- Hire home care. Professional home care agencies send trained professionals to your parent’s home. These pros help with a wide range of different tasks, from cooking, to bathing, to encouraging light exercise, to providing companionship.
In conclusion, being a caregiver is definitely a tough job. Make sure that you are not getting burned out by trying to do too much. Getting help from a home care agency may just make it possible to keep a parent living independently in the home she loves.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering a Caregiver in Chaney, WA please contact the caring staff at Angel Senior Care today at (509) 326-4357.
Sources
Caring for Your Elderly Loved Ones: A Comprehensive Approach to Delivering Superior Care
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/life-balance/info-2017/respite-care-plan.html
After watching our own family members struggle with the need for compassionate home care, we determined that we could be that caring solution and provide home care in Spokane – not just for our family, but for seniors throughout Spokane County. We like to think of our clients as our extended family, and we treat them with the same dignity and respect our own grandparents and parents would expect to receive.
Our feeling is that while all of our caregivers need to be qualified in terms of certifications and experience, our goal is to hire those that are unique in their drive to show service and respect to the elderly. We hire only those caregivers who share our purpose, passion, and commitment.
Between the two of us, we have more than 30 years’ combined experience in the health care industry and are committed to providing the best Spokane senior care. We have utilized that experience to create a care-centered business model that puts the health and well being of our clients first.
When you entrust the care of your loved one to the experience and commitment of Angel Senior Care, you can rest easy knowing they are looked after, both physically and emotionally.
Sincerely, Vaughn & Donna Young
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