When a family member has to take control over making care decisions on behalf of an aging parent or elderly relative, there can be resentment and ambivalence when the senior isn’t involved in the process, because they may feel like they’re being treated like a child. While a senior may be unable to single-handedly manage their own care arrangements, the family member responsible can ensure that the senior gets to make some choices of their own.
Seniors may find the process of touring multiple community care facilities, and interviewing many professional caregiving agencies overwhelming and tiring. Family members can do the legwork for them, after talking to the older adult about their specific wants and needs. They may have valuable input regarding the tasks they need assistance with and who they might be able to relate to, so it’s important that this is acknowledged during the process.
The family should narrow down prospective care options once they have completed the research and review required, and then present them to the senior. By only suggesting the senior care businesses that have already been deemed appropriate, the senior can make the final decision, which helps them feel like they’re taking control over their own life decisions.
Family caregivers can feel overwhelmed year round, but when the holidays roll around they may be under additional stress due to an increase in responsibilities. In order to enjoy the season, without burning out, caregivers should consider the following tips.
1. Set realistic expectations – caregivers can make a list of what they need to accomplish each day; considering care responsibilities, holiday related tasks, social activities, and other obligations. When planning and setting these goals, they need to make time in every day for them, just to relax, unwind and take in the joy of the season.
2. Ask for help – caregivers can have the senior take part in the holiday activities. Just because they provide care, doesn’t mean they can’t ask for help. Have the senior help with tasks that will not be too physically or mentally challenging for them, and try to choose tasks that they might enjoy; such as decorating, baking, or wrapping gifts. Ask other family members to provide respite care for the senior when responsibilities are getting to be too much.
3. Hire a professional – caregivers don’t need to do it all alone, if they are finding their combined responsibilities with the holidays are making the season too busy or stressful, they can hire a professional caregiver to assist with the care of a senior. These professionals can be used as much or as little as needed.
4. Remember seniors tire quickly – while caregivers may find it easy to drag their care recipient along to complete the many holiday tasks they need to accomplish, it’s important to remember that people tire more quickly with age, and therefore seniors should be given the opportunity to rest and relax. During these periods, a caregiver should take the time to focus on themselves.
5. Recognize your emotions – caregivers may push aside their own emotions and physical signs of stress to get through the holidays, but they should pay attention to these signals and remember to slow down and step back.
6. Celebrate – it’s easy to get caught up in the busy season, but caregivers also deserve the opportunity to celebrate the holiday. Instead of focusing on everything that needs to be done, caregivers should instead focus on spending time with family and enjoying themselves.
The best way for family caregivers to cope with the stresses and challenges that are brought on by their new responsibilities of providing care to a senior in Phoenix is to be prepared. Individuals who are considering becoming a caregiver can look into resources and seek support even before they take on their responsibilities. They should also understand the specific challenges that they will face, so they can take the necessary steps to prepare themselves.
• Caregivers often need to learn new skills as their responsibilities may include changing dressings or administering and managing medications
• Caregivers should be in decent physical shape, especially when caring for someone with mobility issues to prevent causing injury to themselves or their care recipient. They may need to help the senior in and out of the bathtub, move them in bed and more.
• Caregivers need to understand that it can be emotionally trying to see the health of someone you loved decline in front of your eyes
• Caregivers will face additional stress when balancing care duties with a career and family
Caregivers who need assistance coping with any of the challenges listed above can consult with a Professional CAREGiver to gather resources or assistance, take educational seminars related to caregiving, seek respite care or attend a related support group.
Home Instead Senior Care in Phoenix actively searches for mature and retired workers. More than 60% of our CAREGivers are over the age of 50. Home Instead Senior Care in an active member of AARP National Employer Team.
The Home Instead Senior Care network participates in the AARP Employer Team program because it recognizes mature workers’ valuable qualities. They are reliable, relate well to seniors, may have previously taken care of an aging parent or elderly friend, and they possess a strong work ethic.
Home Instead Senior Care is passionately focused on helping older adults live independently in their home, wherever they call home. A few of the many services available services:
Meal preparation
Medication reminders
Respite care
Shopping and errands
Light housekeeping
Companionship
What’s in it for you when being a CAREGiver:
No experience needed or medical skills necessary
Flexible scheduling - perfect for retirees
Training provided
Supplemental income
Very rewarding
A way to meet an interact with others outside your home
APPLY NOW for a rewarding retirement job today in the Greater Phoenix area. Upon completion of an interview process and a full background check, you may have the opportunity to make a difference in the life of someone in our Phoenix community.
You just visited your aging parent over the holidays this year, and you realized it’s time to start looking into elderly care services. You know your senior is slowing down, but also want them to receive the best services.
After discussing what options are available with other family members, you conclude that you can choose between home care, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. It is important to note the key differences. In assisted living, seniors in generally good health are surrounded by a staff and other residents. They may or may not need any medical care. Seniors living in a nursing home often often have some type physical disability, and require 24 hour attention by a licensed nurse. With home care, your senior can maintain some measure of independent living, with the assistance of private in-home caregivers.
If you and your senior decide that a nursing home or assisted living facility are not the best bet, there are ways to make sure your parent can receive elder care services at home. If your mom or dad is not in the best physical condition, there are products available on-line that will ensure their safety. For example, some products can monitor certain activity within the home, and will notify you or a nearby friend if an emergency arises. Look online or in the phonebook for social services that can help your senior with their nutritional needs. If you and your senior feel that home care is the best option, you will have peace of mind that they will be surrounded by their network of friends, as well as access to old neighborhood haunts. Your senior may even express their desire to live at home.
It’s not an easy decision to make, choosing between a nursing home, assisted living facility, or home care. However, keep in mind where your feel your aging parent will be better off. Most importantly, don’t feel that you absolutely have to put your senior in an assisted living facility.
When visiting your aging parents this holiday season, you may discover that they are struggling in their lifestyle. You may noticed that their home is dirty and cluttered; whereas it could have once been featured in ‘Good Living’ magazine; they may have stacks of unpaid bills; they may physically appear as though they’re struggling to meet the hygienic needs; they may display evidence of injuries of falls; or they may have a stockpile of unused, required medications.
Whatever the signs that they need help may be, while with them over the holidays, take the opportunity to make arrangements for their care. Because once you return home and are plane rides away, the process of coordinating this for them will be nearly impossible.
Here are a few ways you can make sure that the senior in your live is taken care of, happy, health and safe throughout the year.
1) Hire a professional caregiver to help them with independent living. This can be for as few hours or as many days as you feel is necessary. The right person, should be able to help them with their every need; so decide on medical or non-medical care
2) Make sure a friend or neighbor who lives nearby can check up on them, offer companionship and be turned to in emergencies
3) If you feel moving into a nursing home or assisted living facility may be necessary, take the opportunity to visit them and conduct interviews so you can help make an informed decision
4) Find a support group. You can visit a local support group for caregivers to learn more about resources for seniors in your parent’s area, or you can seek support for them for issues that they’re facing
5) Purchase and install home safety devices to help prevent accidents and injuries when living in their own homes
Home for the holidays! We’re excited to go home, see mom and dad, re-visit ole’ memories, and ready to make new ones. This is what we carry with us while driving back home or boarding the plane to fly to our aging parent’s home for the holidays.
It seems, in our heart, that we are still children. Those wonderful times growing up fills our minds and hearts with joy, hope, and gratitude. That’s what makes the holiday time special. It’s the memories and re-living them.
Not to spoil the fun - but let’s be prepared for what you might see when walking into your parent’s home this year. How long has it been since your last visit? A year? Six months? Whatever the number or timeframe, we want to prepare you so that your mouth doesn’t visibly drop when walking through their door!
Your parents may have aged considerably, looking frail and weak.
They may have lost their zest for life! (In you opinion)
They may appear to be down or depressed.
You may wonder if they are suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s.
You may walk into the kitchen finding empty cupboards!
Mom may not have baked your favorite cookies!
If you find yourself wondering about any of the above, don’t panic.
What can you do with all the information you experience about mom and dad? May we suggest a few tips to help you filter through these discoveries?
1. Know that your parents are getting older, it’s a fact of life.
2. As we age, people slow down.
3. As we get older, our interests change.
4. Try not to change your parents and make them into who they used to be.
5. Talk with them. Listen to them, don’t make them guilty for the people they are today.
This will bring you closer together and help all of you involved to make happy memories!
This year if you are planning to visit a senior relative in a nursing or assisted living home, be sure you plan activities and entertainment ahead of time to bring a sense of home to their residence. It’s less important what you do together then it is that you are there with them, but you should still pick some fun activities that bring the family together and make new holiday memories.
Activities should be simple and stress free, that focus on family bonding; like playing games, taking walks, playing with a family pet (if allowed in the home), watching a holiday movie, or taking the time to remember past holidays while looking through a photo album. Remember, even though it is the holidays, seniors still need their rest, so don’t overwhelm their schedule to ensure they have the opportunity to step back, take a nap, or turn in early.
The holidays, for some seniors, are a rare opportunity to socialize with family members and friends; so, don’t forget to make the most of it and enjoy yourself and your time with them.
Source: http://searchwarp.com/swa79063.htm
Holiday visits are a good time to make sure your older parents and relaives are managing their lives and affairs. The winter is upon us, so it’s a good time that their home is well prepared for the cold winter months. I remember visiting my dad one holiday, walking into the house.. it was cold.. I was quite shocked. “Dad, why is it so cold in here?” HIs reply was equally shocking.. “I can’t get the heater on”. Immediately, we called the local plumber. In an hour we figured out that the pilot light was not on. So, thankfully, we were able to remedy that situation. This is a good time for you to start a healthy conversation about if they are able to cope with getting older.
Check in on Aging Relatives:
Pay attention to whether the older person has a change in a health condition
Has their memory changed?
Do they understand your questioning, and are they able to follow your converstation?
What about their living condition? Is their house clean and in order?
Check on their finances. Are they paying bills? Is their check book in order?
Ask him/her if they are having trouble with household chores?
Ask if they are able to manage their medications?
Check in with their neighbors and nearby relatives. Ask them if they would keep an eye out for your mom or dad.
Make an emergency list for your aging parents - people they can call for possible safety hazards and home maintenance.
The holiday time is a great opportunity for adult children and family to pay attention to an older adult’s physical, mental, environmental and financial situation. Keep in mind while doing this that it is equally important to them that you respect their need for privacy. Remember most seniors want to remain independent.
Home Instead Senior Care provides seniors and your aging parents the services and companion care needed for them to remain at home safely. Consider our CAREGivers when your parents need extra care.. when you cannot be there.
After a few years of caring for my elderly mother part-time and falling into the demographic I have learned is called the ‘sandwich generation’; caregivers providing care for aging parents, while managing jobs and responsibilities for their immediate families, I began to feel the pressure. I knew that for my own well-being, and that of my mom’s, I just couldn’t do it all. I came to the decision that I would need to hire someone to care for her, in her home; part-time at first, with the potential to grow into a full-time position if required.
I discussed my requirements with a friend who had already been through the process; she said short of having an HR degree, there are a few things I can do to make the process easier. She recommended that first I make a list of standard questions and required documentation and then draft out a complete job description. My requirements for the job description included part-time hours where the caregiver would be responsible initially for cooking, cleaning, driving my mom to appointments and helping her bathe.
They would have to be experienced working with seniors in a care capacity, but wouldn’t need to have a nursing degree. I wasn’t concerned about dress code, provided they appeared neat and professional and knew my mom would relate well to someone who was open, friendly, and treated her like family.
My friend suggested that I check out Home Instead Senior Care - they provide professional CAREGivers, they also will come out to mom’s home for the interview, and made certain the CAREGiver meets our qualifications and mom’s needs!
Before hiring the person, Home Instead performed the background check. They also confirmed the professional caregiver’s references. For the past 5 years now, a lovely CAREGiver has been coming into my mom’s home and is doing a great job. This has allowed me to take a step back and manage all my responsibilities; I know now that my mother is in better hands.
