About ten years ago, I attended my grandmother’s funeral, and while that was a sad event, one thing that stood out more than that time was how much my mother talked about how many caregivers they had before my grandmother died. I tried not to think about it too much, but the truth is, both of my parents are getting along in years. My brother and I will need to consider finding a home caregiver for all of my seniors needs in the next few years.
In fact, I don’t really want to think about it, but here’s the big problem – nobody talks about it. Everyone keeps putting off these big discussions until later, but come later and we don’t respond. In the end, “later” won’t be an option, and tough decisions will have to be made. The last thing anyone wants is to feel stressed when an older family member gets sick. If there is one thing that has seen the numbers rise, it is that more families are discussing end-of-life planning, but there is still a huge void in the number of people talking about how they want their care to be looked after. advanced age.
If you and your family are at the beginning of your own discussions about elderly care for a loved one, here are some ways to help you find the right in-home caregiver:
Make a list of your loved one’s care needs As with most things in life, what one person needs may not be on the radar for another. Find out what Elderly Care at Home will mean for your family. This list will be the cornerstone of the hiring process.
Ask friends, co-workers, and others for input It is likely that others around you have gone through the same thing you are embarking on. Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations and feedback from those around you. For example, if you have teachers in the family, have them ask the school nurse for any clue.
Connect with the community for advice Churches, community halls, and senior centers are places you can reach for some help. Each works with people of all ages and you may have a few numbers to call.
Make the interview process inclusive – If an older family member is able to do so, let them be part of the caregiver interview process. Prepare a list of questions in advance, and make sure that as many family members as possible are present. Not only does it help keep everyone informed, but it ensures that any questions you might have missed might be asked by someone else. Finally, having more than one person there means that multiple people can check the information discussed in case it is processed later.
The process of finding an in-home caregiver for all of your seniors’ needs is not easy. It requires a time commitment and a willingness to put a lot of effort into selecting the right person or service that best suits your loved one’s needs. The key is to make sure that all family members, especially the older ones in your life, are involved and feel as if they are being heard.