Caregiving Can Be Heartbreaking, and We Thank You for It
Once your parents have settled into their regular care process, you may wonder where you fit in and how you can stay involved in their care. There are several ways to stay involved in and help your parents in their care process.
Check In
Whether your parents have decided on in home care or some type of care facility, it is important to check in on a regular basis. This can help you not only to stay up to date on your parents’ health, but also to ensure they are receiving the best care possible. It can be hard for the elderly to notice if their care is lacking or to speak out about it. Visiting during care allows you to see the treatment they are receiving along with looking for any signs of mistreatment.
Go to Appointments
Keep track of your parents’ doctor appointments, and with their approval, go along with them when possible. Attending appointments with your parents will give you a chance to speak to their healthcare professionals and gain an understanding of their health conditions. This can also give you and your parents time to talk about other events of life, such as how other family members are doing.
Provide Respite
Your parents’ regular caregiver will need a break from time to time. You can help your parents and their caregiver by being the one to provide respite services. This will allow you to gain an understanding of the supports and services your parents need on a regular basis, along with giving you time to connect with your parents. This may also give you a chance to talk to your parents about their current caregiver without the worry of them overhearing. You may use this as a chance to check for any signs of elder abuse to ensure your parents are getting the care they deserve.
Family Gatherings
Just because your parents have care needs doesn’t mean they should be excluded from family events. Have a family gathering and invite your parents to come, allowing them to invite their caregiver if they wish. This will give the whole family a chance to get to know the caregiver, who has likely become an honorary family member to your parents.
Spending time with your family can help the caregiver to gain an understanding of how your parents function around others, which may not be something they see often. This may help the caregiver to better interact with your parents in the future.
Talk Finances
If your parents have difficulty keeping track of their finances, you can help by talking openly about any financial issues they may be facing. If the cost of their care is too high for them to sustain, you may want to consider helping them apply for government assistance programs. It may also be helpful for you to look at their regular spending habits to see where they can cut back and save for emergencies.
While your parents may not need you to provide supports on a regular basis, there are still many ways you can stay involved in their lives and in their care.
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