PREPARE TO CARE FOR YOUR AGING LOVED ONES
With advances in health care, nutritional awareness and medication, people are living longer. However, a time will come when your parent or grandparents start to slow down and need some assistance. Even if your older family members are in good health now, it is never to early to start to prepare a plan for elder care.
Early Elder Care Questions to Ask
According to PBS.org, “many caregivers do not have, but most experienced caregivers say they wish they had started to prepare before facing a crisis.” It is important to talk to your aging loved ones about their future care needs and wishes, starting with asking the following questions:
- If your loved one is unable to make medical decisions, what are their wishes about care, who should make those decisions and does someone have a copy of Do Not Resuscitate request or other medical documentation?
- Where are other important documents kept, including insurance, wills, power of attorney and financial statements?
- Who has the authority to take over finances when the elder can no longer manage his/her money?
- Who has the contact information for the elder’s lawyers, estate mangers/brokers and doctors?
Assessing Care Needs
Many people feel overwhelmed when beginning to cope with elder care issues and not know where to begin, especially if an incident has occurred that requires immediate attention, such as a stroke. Try to break down what needs to be done one step at a time, starting with developing a care plan based on a careful assessment of the current needs. Implementation of the plan will depend upon whether there has been a sudden health crisis, you are dealing with a medical condition that is progressive, such as dementia or cancer or is more gradual, such as the normal limitations involved with aging. No matter what the situation, ask yourself the following questions:
- How do I find out and assess what type of care is needed?
- Do I need professional help making the assessment and if so, who is needed?
- Once the needs are determined, what services need to be secured?
- What additional services may be needed over time?
Taking Care of The Caregivers
Caring for someone else is often physically and mentally draining and many caregivers do not think about their own needs. However, caregiving responsibilities may be a commitment for days, months or even years and the caregiver needs to remember to take of themselves as well. Whether you are the primary caregiver or it is someone else in your family, remember to constantly reassess the following:
- Can the elder care responsibilities be managed by one person?
- How can the caregiver get some support or take a break?
- What is needed to help the caregiver take care of his/herself?
For assistance locating elder care services or if the time has come when you or a family member is no longer able to live independently, contact California Registry to discuss the options and learn about assisted living services and facilities within California.