Everyone that has an elderly family member or loved one in their life knows that taking care of them is a huge responsibility. Sometimes you can be unprepared for the situation and fear is a very common feeling. How does your loved one feel? Do they feel isolated and lonely? How are you going to manage everything? How are you going to pay for it? These are the questions many people ask themselves on a daily basis.
Millions of people come face-to-face with deciding what’s the best thing to do regarding their elderly family members. The most important is choosing a good aged-care center. A study has shown that 4.5 million homes have three generations living under the same roof and the number is growing every year. Planning ahead is essential if you want to provide long-term care for your loved ones.
There are many ways to take care of your elders and every situation is unique. Still, there is general advice that can help you out. If you are interested – please continue reading.
Choose the Best Aged-Care Residence
There is no place like home for the elders, that’s for sure. In fact, 90% of people over the age of 65 would like to stay at home as long as possible. Unfortunately, we all know that this isn’t possible sometimes. When you decide to have home aged care stop for valid reasons, you can always try the option of having your elderly loved ones live in a dedicated facility. This may be heartbreaking for you, but providing the best care possible for your elders is the most important thing. If you aren’t able to fully commit to it, choosing a good aged-care center is the best thing you can do.
This is a big decision and there are many factors to consider. There are numerous properties available and feeling a bit anxious, confused, and overwhelmed is completely understandable. Still, some things are more important to consider than others. Here is what you have to look at to make this process easier.
- The facilities – Check out the rooms. Maybe your loved one would prefer a private room? Many facilities offer them. Investigate the common areas as well as outdoor spaces. After all, you want your loved one to feel at home.
- The building – Consider the condition and accessibility of the property, as well as the location.
- The carers – This may be the most important factor to consider. The carers are of huge importance for the wellbeing of your elders. Follow your first impression – if you don’t feel comfortable and welcome from the start, look for another facility.
Keep Care at Home If Possible
Spending time at home is certainly more pleasant for your loved one than being in a hospital setting. If you have the means to provide home care for your elders, it’s certainly a great option. Try finding care providers that will visit them at home and give all the medical care for their needs.
The number of in-home care providers is growing and there are many new options available. Choosing the right one can be challenging, not to mention – pricey. In fact, the cost per hour ranges from $10 to $30, depending on the region. If you, however, need a professional nurse, the price can be around $100.
Still, if you don’t live with them and don’t want a nursing home, hiring help is your best option, especially if you live far away. Many agencies provide excellent services. Make sure you do your research and read online reviews before hiring.
In case you live with your elderly ones, you need to make some changes in your home. This can save you so much trouble and help your loved one stay safe. Here is a list of things you should do if you are living with a senior:
- Remove any clutter from corridors
- Get rid of excess furniture
- Purchase anti-scald devices for the bathroom
- Install grab bars in the shower and the toilet.
- Buy some non-skid mats for the kitchen, bathroom, or other rooms where floors can get slippery
- Make sure there are no loose cables, wires, etc. on the floors.
Taking care of an elderly person can be one of the most difficult and emotionally complex things someone can experience. Most people deny that this task is coming and very few are prepared. Still, you may become a caregiver overnight and it’s important to anticipate what’s coming.
Planning ahead and doing your research is essential. Your loved ones deserve only the best care and your role is to be responsible, organized, emotionally stable, and emphatic. They once gave you all their love and now is the time for you to make their aging years happy and beautiful.
