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Aging comes with new hurdles: increased fall risks, cognitive decline, and chronic diseases. Without a care plan in place, trying to surmount unforeseen challenges is stressful for family caregivers. Prevent confusion and feeling unprepared by developing a care plan that anticipates older parents’ needs.
What unexpected challenges can arise?
One in four seniors experiences a fall every year in the United States, per the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Injuries can result, such as broken bones, as well as emotional struggles, such as a fear of falling again. Falling once doubles the senior’s chances of falling again.
Family caregivers have other concerns to prepare for. The chances of having a stroke increase with age. In fact, 75 percent of strokes occur in seniors aged 65 or older. Heart attacks and other sudden declines in health can leave family members scrambling and the senior confused.
How do families plan for their parents’ care needs?
By preparing for future health challenges, families avoid feeling unprepared. It’s important to hold discussions about legal and financial issues early on. Broach the topics of in-home care, long-term care and end-of-life preferences. Delaying these conversations leaves families in a vulnerable position.
1. Discuss the Parents’ Health
Find an opportunity to talk about the parents’ health, diseases, and aging in general. Use topics on the news, a recent movie, or a relatable book to jumpstart the conversation. Encourage the senior to watch or read the material, then try to open up the discussion.
2. Suggest Resources
When discussing the parents’ health, suggest resources that can help the seniors make important decisions about their care. Research local services, such as home care agencies, meal delivery services, and the Area Agency on Aging, that can be major sources of support in their comfort and care.
3. Prepare to Make Home Modifications
A bedroom on the first floor is more practical for aging parents than a bedroom on the second floor. Be open to moving the seniors to a more accessible location in the home. Other home modifications include installing handrails on stairs, grab bars in the bathroom, and extra lighting.
4. Offer Mobility Devices and Tech
Whether due to arthritis or a disability, seniors may come to rely on assistive devices. Walkers, canes, and wheelchairs help them get around. Family caregivers might also incorporate technology into their care. Senior tablets, a medical alert system, and electronic pill dispensers are helpful for managing care.
5. Anticipate Loneliness or Isolation
When planning for the care needs of the elderly, it’s easy to focus on the more practical aspects and overlook the emotional ones. Loneliness and isolation are common among seniors and can lead to feelings of depression. Prepare to alleviate their distress by considering a companion caregiver.
6. Circumvent Resistance
The aging parents may either be open to trying out new technology or spending time with a companion caregiver. But when they resist, families can suggest trial periods. Seniors may be more willing to experiment with new tools, devices, and supports.
7. Use Terminology Carefully
Family caregivers who choose their terminology conscientiously are better able to talk about sensitive topics, such as end-of-life care and estate planning. Mirror the language the parent uses. For example, does the senior use the word “death” or “deceased” or “met their maker”?
8. Break Up Conversations
Rather than have one marathon discussion about the various aspects of elder care, from home care to funeral arrangements, separate them into bite-size chunks. Families should follow up every few months, until they feel satisfied with their understanding of their parents’ wishes.
9. Work with Legal Professionals
Conversations take family caregivers one step closer to knowing their parents’ preferences. Working with an elder care lawyer is a second step. Legal professionals are instrumental in drafting important documents necessary for the senior’s care, like wills, power of attorneys, advanced directives, and trusts.
10. Listen Proactively
Introducing a professional caregiver or new technology may worry the senior. The aging parents may have concerns about not only the cost of the devices or home care but intrusions to their privacy. Listen to and validate the seniors’ feelings to reassure them.
If the older individual resists professional caregivers, for instance, let them know that elder care is designed to enhance independence rather than hinder it and allows them to age in place. Trying out new technology might give them more autonomy.
When planning for the care needs of elderly parents, family caregivers are encouraged to express their shared sentiments using “I” statements. Both the adult child and aging parents want the latter to experience a good quality of life and maintain their independence.
Families are advised to incorporate local resources into the aging parents’ care plans. One invaluable resource is Assisting Hands Home Care. We offer dependable senior home care services to support the elderly with the activities of daily living and give them the opportunity to age in place.
Professional caregivers are tasked with a wide range of non-medical care duties, such as providing help with personal hygiene tasks, shopping for fresh groceries, preparing healthy meals, and giving timely medication reminders. We perform light housekeeping and remove fall hazards to keep seniors safe.
Included in our in-home care services is pleasant companionship. We socialize with the elderly by playing games, taking them on outings, and holding light conversations. Transportation and escort are provided to local destinations, such as the medical clinic, pharmacy, or senior center.
Our nationally recognized home care agency offers flexible care options. Compassionate Alzheimer’s and dementia care are available as well as respite care. Overnight care, post-surgical care, and 24-hour in-home care are additional care options for families. Each care plan is tailored to meet the senior’s unique needs.
Families planning for their aging parents’ future care needs are encouraged to consider Assisting Hands Home Care, which complements any care plan. Our reliable services are available to seniors in Frisco, Texas. Call us at (214) 609-1340 to schedule an in-home consult today and learn how elder care enhances quality of life.
