Seeing your loved ones grow frail as they age can be difficult. The hands that once taught you how to ride a bike have started to tremble. The mind that helped you with your homework has started to forget things. The biggest challenge you face may be convincing an aging loved one that they need help. Yet it’s a challenge you can overcome with empathy and respect. To get more information about home care packages please visit My Home Care.
Just as they were there for you when you were a child, it’s now your turn to return the favor. You want to give them the same love and care, but other responsibilities may get in the way. With a hectic work and family schedule, taking out time for your aging loved one can be difficult. Here are five ways to help manage your time so you can give them the attention they deserve.
1. Get Expert Help
The biggest concern when caring for a beloved senior is their health. If they need constant medical attention, you may need to consider moving them to a nursing home. Not only do they get 24/7 clinical care, but socializing with other seniors can boost them emotionally. However, that doesn’t absolve you of your responsibility for their care. Keep monitoring their living situation and don’t hesitate to call a nursing home abuse attorney if you note any activity that concerns you.
If your loved one remains at home, they may need help with daily activities that you can’t provide. Find trained and certified aides who can assist with cooking, cleaning, bathing, and dressing. The biggest benefit of these in-home caregivers is that your loved one isn’t on their own. They have someone who can make sure needed tasks are done safely and on time.
2. Plan Ahead
Although no one can control the future, making realistic plans lessens the burden of everyday life. If you prepare your elder’s lunch in the morning, it’s one less thing to worry about while you’re at work. If you have their prescriptions automatically refilled, it’ll save you a last-minute trip to the pharmacy. Spontaneous changes don’t sit well with many seniors; planning ahead gives them a sense of control over their life.
The elderly often get anxious in new places, so accompany them to appointments with a new dentist or hair salon. Make appointments on days when you don’t have back-to-back commitments. This way you’re not rushed, and they won’t feel stressed.
In addition, try to foresee any potential maintenance issues with their home and ensure that it’s free of any identifiable fall risks. Installing grab bars and tacking down — or removing — rugs are proactive measures you can take to keep your loved one safe.
3. Let Technology Help
You can’t always be on hand to monitor a beloved elder’s well-being, so enlist tech to do it. A smartwatch is a handy and stylish way you can track your loved one’s health. There are models that are made especially for seniors that have a more user-friendly interface. Some can also be synchronized with devices you own so you get alerted if they have an abnormal heart rhythm, say, or a fall. The fall detection feature on these watches ensures that emergency help will soon be on the way.
Along with safety, technology can also keep your loved one company. Voice-enabled digital care solutions use artificial intelligence to remind users about their medication and appointments — and carry on conversations with them. A bonus feature is these devices have discreet heat and motion sensors that allow you to monitor your senior without disturbing their privacy.
4. Build a Support Network
No matter how much you try, you cannot give your beloved elder the empathy someone their own age can. Your loved one needs to be around people who are going through similar issues. Enroll them in senior activities at a community center, as being around other seniors may increase their confidence. Some cities offer senior community transportation services, too, so you can be assured they’ll be picked up and dropped off safely.
In an elder care scenario, the senior isn’t the only one who needs support. Build a network of friends, family, and neighbors who can offer assistance if you’re tied up at work. You might be surprised by the number of people willing to lend a hand if you ask. Delegate responsibilities to other siblings or relatives who can also take on family duties. You don’t have to do it all alone.
5. Take Care of Yourself
Being a full-time caregiver can be exhausting, so don’t forget to take time out for yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so it’s essential you recharge your own batteries by taking regular “me time.” Communicate with the people in your life, whether it’s your spouse or your boss, so they know what’s going on. If there’s a possibility of flexible working hours or remote work, grab it without any guilt.
To be kind to others, you must be kind to yourself. Don’t push yourself so hard that you break down. Set realistic expectations and be prepared for times when things won’t go as planned. Priorities may change quickly, and you may have to put non-urgent tasks on the back burner for a while. Keep reminding yourself that you are doing your best, and that is enough.
Coping With Caring
Caring for the elderly is a delicate situation, as you are dealing with humans who may already be sad and confused. Finding a balance between caregiving and personal obligations requires patience and positivity. It’s undoubtedly challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding if you navigate this path with love and grace. People don’t live forever, but regrets can.
