One of the challenges of growing older is watching your parents grow older. Age takes its toll on them until eventually, something happens. They fall, for example, or suffer a serious health issue. There could be a series of little things that add up to a big warning sign. When these things occur, it's time to step in and look seriously at the issues of aging parents and elder care Chicago.
The first step is to assess the general situation. You'll need your parents' birthdates and social security information plus a complete list of their medications. Furthermore, you will want to have the names of physicians and insurance companies. Lastly, put together complete medical histories, which should include recent tests such as x-rays or MRIs. Basically, the role of parent and child are being reversed so you now must look after the people who used to look after you.
Now you will have to figure out if your senior requires short term nursing or something permanent. Keep in mind that a change in the health condition of any senior might just be due to a new medication, so make an attempt to rule that out.
If possible, try to insure that any changes are made as gradually as possible. This will let your mother or father become used to his or her new situation. Bringing up the subject won't be easy, but you can approach it honestly and gently, giving them options and listening to their wishes.
Be sure the legal bases are covered. Your parent has to make a choice about who will attend to their business issues and health matters if they should become disabled. This will include drafting a will and assigning somebody power of attorney.
It your parent does turn out to need long-term nursing, then you have some options. An in-house nurse can be provided, which basically brings a nurse or caregiver to the house to visit or perhaps even live in the home.
You can also put your parent into a nursing home. This is a very tough choice to make. There are very few elders who are happy about going into a nursing home due to the loss of freedom. However, if your parent has some health issue that just cannot be dealt with in the home, then the nursing home option can be the best choice.
Choosing how best to provide for your parents as they get older is one of life's greatest challenges. With proper planning and organization, you can meet the challenge posed by aging parents and elder care Chicago with compassion and provide your mother or father with the highest level of comfort possible. They deserve no less than the best.
elder care Chicago
The first step is to assess the general situation. You'll need your parents' birthdates and social security information plus a complete list of their medications. Furthermore, you will want to have the names of physicians and insurance companies. Lastly, put together complete medical histories, which should include recent tests such as x-rays or MRIs. Basically, the role of parent and child are being reversed so you now must look after the people who used to look after you.
Now you will have to figure out if your senior requires short term nursing or something permanent. Keep in mind that a change in the health condition of any senior might just be due to a new medication, so make an attempt to rule that out.
If possible, try to insure that any changes are made as gradually as possible. This will let your mother or father become used to his or her new situation. Bringing up the subject won't be easy, but you can approach it honestly and gently, giving them options and listening to their wishes.
Be sure the legal bases are covered. Your parent has to make a choice about who will attend to their business issues and health matters if they should become disabled. This will include drafting a will and assigning somebody power of attorney.
It your parent does turn out to need long-term nursing, then you have some options. An in-house nurse can be provided, which basically brings a nurse or caregiver to the house to visit or perhaps even live in the home.
You can also put your parent into a nursing home. This is a very tough choice to make. There are very few elders who are happy about going into a nursing home due to the loss of freedom. However, if your parent has some health issue that just cannot be dealt with in the home, then the nursing home option can be the best choice.
Choosing how best to provide for your parents as they get older is one of life's greatest challenges. With proper planning and organization, you can meet the challenge posed by aging parents and elder care Chicago with compassion and provide your mother or father with the highest level of comfort possible. They deserve no less than the best.
elder care Chicago
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