We all hope to live full and independent lives well into our 80s and 90s, but the reality is that sometimes people need at least some help managing their day-to-day tasks as they get older. Often this help comes from our adult children who might provide just a couple of hours of assistance each week or perhaps much more help. While running a few errands or helping with a few chores might not be difficult, if your parent needs more help, this can put stress on your daily life. Here are a few ways to reduce the stress and make life easier for everyone.
Take stock of your parent's home and do what you can to make it easier for them to deal with daily tasks. For instance, area rugs and loose carpeting can be hazardous as well as uneven flooring areas, so remove rugs and fix up flooring. Add handles in the bathroom and non-skid mats to the tub or even install a sit-down tub to make bathing easy and safe. Remove stairs in the front or backyard and replace them with ramps, and be sure there are sturdy rails to grab. In the bedroom, make sure the bed is low enough to get in and out of easily and put a nightlight in every room.
Make the kitchen easy to access, as well. Move dishes and pans and other items where they can be grabbed easily and not only on high shelves. An electric can opener, microwave and toaster oven can make cooking quick meals a snap and be sure to keep a good amount of frozen, canned and dry goods around so that a quick meal always is just a few minutes away. See if there is a grocery delivery service in your area that can deliver perishables and place them on the kitchen counters. If not, make a weekly run to the store for milk and fresh fruits and veggies.
Talk to your parent about financial matters, as well. Ask if you can help make sure bills are being paid on time or if you can help them plan out a budget. Be sure you know where important items such as a will or trust are located. While it can be uncomfortable discussing money and wills, it's good to have an idea of how your parent is doing financially. If there is money in the budget, you might have enough to spend on a housekeeping service or even a home care worker who can help with many daily tasks and chores.
Selecting the right person for in-home care can be tricky and you definitely want to find someone trustworthy and personable. An agency such as CarePlacement.com screens licensed professionals in your area and can compile a list of potential caregivers for you. You simply fill out a questionnaire detailing the types of services you need, as well as your current budget, and they will find you several solid candidates.
After receiving a list of potential caregivers, it is time for the interviews. You and your parent should sit down and write out some questions. Ask them about references and qualifications and have them describe their previous clients and what services were provided to those clients. Be sure to have a written contract that lists all of the services that are included in the set monthly rates. Also ask about what happens if circumstances change, such as your parent needs more help or perhaps the caregiver is sick on a given day and a replacement needs to be found.
Take stock of your parent's home and do what you can to make it easier for them to deal with daily tasks. For instance, area rugs and loose carpeting can be hazardous as well as uneven flooring areas, so remove rugs and fix up flooring. Add handles in the bathroom and non-skid mats to the tub or even install a sit-down tub to make bathing easy and safe. Remove stairs in the front or backyard and replace them with ramps, and be sure there are sturdy rails to grab. In the bedroom, make sure the bed is low enough to get in and out of easily and put a nightlight in every room.
Make the kitchen easy to access, as well. Move dishes and pans and other items where they can be grabbed easily and not only on high shelves. An electric can opener, microwave and toaster oven can make cooking quick meals a snap and be sure to keep a good amount of frozen, canned and dry goods around so that a quick meal always is just a few minutes away. See if there is a grocery delivery service in your area that can deliver perishables and place them on the kitchen counters. If not, make a weekly run to the store for milk and fresh fruits and veggies.
Talk to your parent about financial matters, as well. Ask if you can help make sure bills are being paid on time or if you can help them plan out a budget. Be sure you know where important items such as a will or trust are located. While it can be uncomfortable discussing money and wills, it's good to have an idea of how your parent is doing financially. If there is money in the budget, you might have enough to spend on a housekeeping service or even a home care worker who can help with many daily tasks and chores.
Selecting the right person for in-home care can be tricky and you definitely want to find someone trustworthy and personable. An agency such as CarePlacement.com screens licensed professionals in your area and can compile a list of potential caregivers for you. You simply fill out a questionnaire detailing the types of services you need, as well as your current budget, and they will find you several solid candidates.
After receiving a list of potential caregivers, it is time for the interviews. You and your parent should sit down and write out some questions. Ask them about references and qualifications and have them describe their previous clients and what services were provided to those clients. Be sure to have a written contract that lists all of the services that are included in the set monthly rates. Also ask about what happens if circumstances change, such as your parent needs more help or perhaps the caregiver is sick on a given day and a replacement needs to be found.
About the Author:
Kristana Jenson loves reading home health care blogs. For more details regarding assisted living Vista facilities or to find more about board and care Oceanside services, please check out the CarePlacement.com site now.
0 comments:
Post a Comment