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How To Give The Best Possible Care To Your Aging Parent

You love your parents. Therefore, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to see the physical limitations they endure as they age, isn’t it? For many Canadians, the mental decline of their elderly loved ones is a particular hardship. As we age, we all need a little help to get by each day. For some older adults, quite a bit of help is needed to complete formerly-simple everyday tasks. Giving the care that your aging parent needs isn’t easy.

Let’s take a look at how to give the best possible care you can.

Don’t feel you have to go it alone.

Do you sometimes feel that you’ve bitten off more than you can chew? Sure, you may feel that your aging parent is your responsibility. But that doesn’t mean you have to be solely responsible for his/her care. If you’re burning yourself out, you’re going to end up providing less-than-stellar care. This could put your elderly loved one in danger. Get some help. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a family member or friend for a little assistance. Consult a professional caregiver, if necessary.

“Keep in mind that if you take on too much, you will eventually burn out or develop a serious health condition – ultimately leaving you unable to care for anyone,” warns DailyCaring.com, “Instead, be as proactive as you can and find ways to get the help you need to keep up your health and keep going as a caregiver.”

Keep the lines of communication open.

Don’t assume that because you’re the caregiver, you’re the “boss”. Yes, you will certainly be required to take the reins when it comes to your aging parent’s needs. However, it’s a must you remain mindful that the older adult in your life has feelings. For example, he/she may not wish to take a shower on any given evening. Resist the urge to be insistent and open a conversation with your elderly loved one. Calmly explain the need to bathe. But be sure to ask questions so that you can better assess how your care recipient is feeling.

On Forbes.com, William A. Haseltine admits that not every conversation is going to be easy. “Don’t be afraid to have what can be a tough conversation about end of life care with your loved one,” he advises, “Make use of the tools and resources available online to talk with your loved one about the kind of treatment they receive and where they would like to receive it.”

Check in often.

As mentioned, the care you provide isn’t just physical. Checking in on the emotional and mental well-being of your loved one is just as important. In some cases, people don’t live with the older adults they care for. For them, it’s important to check in often. You don’t want to go a day without making sure your care recipient is okay.

“Check in repeatedly with the person you’re caring for,” advises HealthInAging.com, “Educate yourself about their illness and the course of treatment they face. Then call, email, or visit with them at times you know will be most difficult for them.”

At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we do the best we can to ease the stress of caregivers by offering consultations that help us to determine the best mobility solutions for their loved ones. Give us a call at 403-460-5438 so that we can help you to simplify everything. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!

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