Index Of The Blog
Did you know that the number of people aged 65 and older is expected to double in the coming years, and will go from 16% of the population to 23%? As life expectancy increases in this country, there will be more seniors living longer that will potentially need assistance. While a lucky few can “age in place” the reality is that the majority of that demographic will require help from family members.
Do you have aging parents approaching that life stage? There may come a time where you’ll have to look after them. Be prepared and check out this guide about how to take care of older parents.
Assess the Needs of Older Parents
The first step to take in your parental care journey is to assess your parent’s needs in a realistic way. Can you look after them in your home or theirs? If they need more help than you can give, they might require a caregiver or a medical facility–so it’s important to review the conditions and talk with your parent before making a decision click this.
Senior Companions
If your parent is doing well and only requires minimal supervision, you might want to look at a senior companion program. There are government-sponsored services that connect adults that are 55 and older with seniors to provide companionship to ones that aren’t that mobile and need company. These volunteers can help give you a break by staying with your parent when you can’t.
In-home Care
The next level of assistance to consider is in-home care. A hired caregiver can help elderly parents with simple tasks like food preparation and housekeeping. These elder care services can also provide supervision to give you peace of mind, whether it’s for 24 hours, respite care, or otherwise.
Hospice and Palliative Care
If your parent has a serious medical condition or illness, you may need to research hospice and palliative care. Both of these provide the senior with professional medical assistance to help with symptoms and improve their quality of life. This can be given at home, or in nursing homes, clinics, hospitals, and other settings.
Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
The time may come when your parent can no longer live at home. Then it might be time to check out local nursing homes and assisted living facilities that can provide long-term care. These senior living facilities can offer medical services along with social ones to provide a new lifestyle among other seniors.
Care For Your Parents the Right Way
Now that you’ve learned about how to care for older parents, you can be proactive and make an informed decision about their care. These caregiving tips can help you assess whether they need companionship, or in-house help, or a medical facility or nursing home. But whatever you decide, be honest and forthright with your parent and involve them in the decision-making process. Did you find this article helpful? If so, check out the rest of this site for more useful topics.
