If you live with an older adult, you’re surely aware of the many unique needs he/she has on a daily basis. Clearly, as we age, we more often contend with such difficulties as waning strength, balance issues and memory loss. In many cases, a responsible caregiver is required to help seniors comfortably and safely age in place.
Providing care to an older adult isn’t easy. Most caregivers would consider that an understatement. There are, of course, a number of to-do’s to follow that can help you to offer the best possible care to your elderly loved one. Let’s take a look at a few, shall we?
Locate a local support group for additional assistance.
There is certainly no shame in asking for help with caring for your elderly loved one. In fact, it should be considered a must that you don’t try to make it a go on your own. Especially if there are local organizations that cater to the needs of the elderly, you should make it a point to get them involved.
“Look for a local senior care organization that you can turn to for professional assistance and support with your elderly care,” advises Rosemarie Tamunday Casanova of Right Accord Private Duty-Home Health Care, “These senior care organizations can help you with your decision and can even provide professional advice. Find these care support groups that will offer the kind of expert assistance that your elder needs.”
Remember the importance of flexibility.
You may think it wise to devise a specific schedule for your care recipient. After all, you are likely to have many tasks of your own to complete outside of your responsibilities to your elderly loved one. However, it’s important to remember that we’re all humans – not robots. Our bodies don’t always allow us to manage our day-to-day routines on schedule. On AgingCare.com, Carol Bradley Bursack reminds us that there is no telling how or when your loved one’s needs may increase.
“Fine-tuning your boundaries so that they mesh with the ever-evolving reality of your situation is crucial,” she writes, “Building some flexibility into your schedule and priorities is important, but where it really matters is being open to all sources of help. You must be willing and able to step away and let someone else take over from time to time. Doing so does not constitute laziness, abandonment or a reason to feel guilty.”
Don’t be afraid to turn to family members for help.
Who better than the members of your family to ask for help with an elderly loved one? Hopefully, you have people in your household who can assist with the day-to-day needs of the older adult you live with. If not, don’t shy away from reaching out to people who care just as much about your aging parent as you do.
“Don’t take on this responsibility alone,” insists Casanova, “Seek the help of your other family members, children, relatives, or neighbours, especially if you encounter any difficulty in providing care. You can gain more success with elderly care if everyone in the family is involved instead of you doing it alone.”
At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we care a great deal about the health and well-being of the elderly. If we can offer you any assistance with your caregiving, please don’t hesitate to ask. We proudly offer high-quality accessibility and mobility solutions. As well, we always ensure that you have the complete picture to make an informed decision.
Contact us to learn about all of your possible options. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
