Are you providing senior care to a loved one? You are not alone. Today, there are nearly 67 million people in America providing care to a family member. Helping him or her age with dignity and independence can be overwhelming for the adult child. Here are some tips to help you cope:
- Devise an individual plan for care. Every senior is different and will need different resources for care. Make sure that you look for help when you need it. Just because a friend you know easily takes care of her parent at home, don’t think that you can do it all on your own. Ask for help.
- Look to family. Speaking of asking for help, don’t forget to those closest to you. If another family member doesn’t have time to physically care for your elderly relative, perhaps they can help financially. Or maybe they can visit or call to provide emotional support to you and the senior. Every little bit helps.
- Know what the senior wants. Don’t wait until an emergency to plan for your loved one. It’s not an easy conversation, but get on paper what the relative wants for his or her future. You also know what “aging with dignity” means for him or her. It could mean something as simple as bringing their pajamas from home during a hospital stay.
Providing care to a senior can be challenging, but being prepared makes the journey that much easier.And if it becomes to much of a burden, Freedom Home Care will always be here to lend a helping hand.
