How to Ensure Your Senior Parents Are Cared For – Now and in the Future
In our last blog post, we shared some tips on preparing for emergency homecare situations for aging parents, but there’s an additional factor that often comes into play--denial. Our first instinct when we notice a decline in our parents’ health is to find a way to justify it: “Mom is just a little forgetful; she always has been,” or “Dad may be slowing down, but he just keeps plugging along like always!”
It’s even easier to ignore the early warning signs that care may be needed if you live a long distance from your parents. But it’s very important and can often help avoid a crisis situation later to keep your eyes and ears open now to potential problems.
Below are some helpful tips to assist in this endeavor:
Discuss possible eldercare scenarios with family members before eldercare is needed:
What if Mom broke a hip? Where would she prefer rehab care? At home or elsewhere?
How will you know when it is time to make a change and involve care partners?
How will the care be paid for?
Collect useful information along the way such as:
A HIPAA release of information form at each of your loved ones’ doctors’ offices so you can freely discuss their medical care.
A list of local people for care support in an emergency, such as neighbors or friends.
Take your elders out while visiting to see how they function in the community and with others.
Emergency travel:
Ask yourself if the trip is really necessary. Are there neighbors or friends that could help just as well?
Set extra money aside in case of emergency travel needs.
Be sure to have an extra set of house keys with you as well as at a reliable neighbor’s house.
Consider using the services of a professional home care agency such as AAging Better In-Home Care. All of our elder care services start with a free in-home assessment and development of a personalized plan of care. This ensures that each of our clients receives exactly the level of care and services that will enhance well-being and independence, and help them to thrive at home.
Call us for further information as a part of your senior care planning even if no care services are needed immediately. We’ll provide you with information you can have at your fingertips when a home care need arises.
