Caring For Your Aging Loved Ones

By Author: Michael Vaughan
Total Articles: 29
Comment this article

Providing care for an elderly or disabled loved one can be difficult. This stage of life is usually referred to as the payback time: It's the time when you come to care for the elders who have served you during your childhood. As people age, they lose physical strength, which may cause them to become more dependent on others for their care and well-being.

Our elders have been there for us throughout our lives, and, as they grow older, it becomes our moral responsibility to care for them in return. If the responsibility of being a caregiver is new to you, the following suggestions may help.

1. Find a support system in your community, including neighbors, friends, and doctors. Contact them to let them know what is happening, and be sure to give them instructions on how to reach you. Ask for and accept help. One person should not have to carry out every responsibility of caregiving by him or herself. It's a joint effort and should involve many people from the community.

2. In the case that you are not able to personally provide care at some point, consider backup plans and arrangements ahead of time in order ...
... to avoid crisis and hardship later. Ask relatives or friends if they would be willing to provide care in case you get sick or need a break.

3. Prepare a list of prescription and over-the-counter medications, including doses and schedules. Be sure to update it as often as necessary, as this information is vital in a medical emergency. It will also become helpful if you are not there to provide care as this may keep other caregivers informed of the medical requirements of your loved one.

4. Ask employees at a library or senior center for lists or directories of resources that may be of use to you. Have multiple copies on hand for yourself and anyone else taking part in the care of your loved one. This makes everyone aware of the resources available near you, and it helps you learn about and become connected to the network.

5. Check the house for potential hazards that may contribute to falls, including loose rugs, poor lighting, and unsafe clutter. Other safety considerations may involve measures such as installing grab bars in the bathroom. Injuries can be especially damaging to senior citizens, so making an active attempt to avoid potentially damaging situations is very important in home health care.

6. Figure out if the person being cared for has an advance directive that states his or her preferences for health care treatment. If so, get a copy for yourself, other relatives involved in coordinating care, and the doctor. If not, encourage and help the person to make one.

For more help and information regarding elder care or home health care agencies, log on to www.TheCaringSpace.com.