Caregiving
10 Signs A Senior May Need Assistance with Daily Living
Thanks in part to medical breakthroughs, Americans are living longer today than ever before. According to the US Census Bureau, people age 65 and older will represent over 18 percent of the population by the year 2030–nearly double that of today. And while a longer life expectancy is certainly something to celebrate, it is not without its challenges.
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A version of tough love may be necessary to protect seniors and those in their path when it's no longer safe for them to drive.
The Family Meeting
There are only four kinds of people in the world—those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who need caregivers." – former First Lady Rosalynn Carter
Strategies to Simplify Caregiving Responsibilities
Caring for an aging parent on top of the many other day-to-day family, work and financial obligations you have can be challenging. Simplifying those responsibilities benefits everyone involved by ensuring that:
Developing a Care Plan
A geriatric care plan is a way to help aging individuals ensure continued good health, and according to HelpGuide.org, “improve their overall quality of life, reduce the need for hospitalization and/or institutionalization, and enable them to live independently for as long as possible.” Stemming from a geriatric assessment, a care plan ensures that families, aging individuals, and health care providers are all on the same page regarding health care and living arrangements, and that each knows his or her role in managing the needs of the aging individual.
Questions to Ask a Potential Homecare Worker
You made the decision to hire someone to help care for your parent, based on a needs assessment and in conjunction with family members and medical professionals. You created a home care plan and know that you need a reliable healthcare worker, one who is experienced in a situation like yours.
Prepare for a Medical Emergency
Just about everyone with an aging parent anticipates the possibility of a medical emergency. The circumstance you are likely most concerned about is that moment when you learn your mother or father has suffered a significant event and aggressive intervention is necessary. That moment changes your parent's life and yours.
Creating Caregiver Support with a Care Circle
Caring for an aging parent can be one of the most rewarding experiences, but the more care your aging parent needs, the more support you are going to need. Since it's likely that you are not only caring for parents, but also raising children or grandchildren and working part or full time, your plate is more than full, it's overflowing. Organizing a care circle for your aging parents can help prevent you from suffering from caregiver burnout, a common occurrence among adult caregivers.
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Making the Most of Your Holiday Visits
Make the most of your holiday visits by making your loved ones’ home safer and giving gifts for seniors that improve their quality of life.
Coping as Caregiver for a Spouse
Caring for a spouse brings a different set of challenges than caring for a parent. Lynn Greenblatt shares invaluable life lessons from her own personal experiences.