May 2, 2022 by
Leaving someone you love in someone else’s care is never easy, especially if it’s an older loved one. Whether the aging loved one is at home or a facility, you will have important questions you want answered. You’ll also want to be prepared to advocate for the senior to proactively manage potential problems and to quickly take care of issues that do take place.
Examine the following common caregiver issues and how to best advocate for a senior you love:
- You live far away. Technology has made it easier than ever to be close to a loved one who lives far away and to keep a finger on the pulse of how things are going. Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype with the older adult regularly to check in. If an online family portal is available for the care provider and family members to share notes and comments, make the most of this communication tool. Also, if you can’t visit in person, consider asking a friend or another family member to drop in regularly.
- You are concerned about challenging behaviors. If the aging loved one is susceptible to wandering, aggression, hoarding, angry outbursts, or any one of an array of other difficult behaviors, you might feel embarrassed or ashamed. Though you may prefer not to discuss the issue, it is better to share this openly with the care provider. Most likely, the caregiver will have experience successfully dealing with an array of personalities and personal nuances. Because of this, they will be able to incorporate strategies that will work most effectively with your family member.
- Your loved one has Alzheimer’s. A senior loved one with dementia may not be able to effectively communicate their wishes and needs. For example, a new caregiver might not know that Dad wears inserts in his shoes and she may put his shoes on in the morning without them. Dad might not know how to express this need or might have forgotten about this need and start to become uncomfortable that day. Or he may act out because he is experiencing discomfort, which may lead to other issues. As the senior’s voice, make sure to share even the littlest details about the person’s preferences with the care provider.
At Home Independent Living partners with families to help them avoid common caregiver issues, working together to guarantee the highest quality of care and life for older adults, through personalized services such as:
- Transportation and accompaniment
- Personal care for safe baths/showers, getting dressed, etc.
- Companionship for fun activities and conversations
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Meal planning and preparation
- Running errands
- And more
Contact us online or at (315) 579-HOME (4663) for a complimentary in-home consultation to allow us to get to know one another and to understand your unique needs. We would be happy to develop a care plan including our best services for respite care in Clay, NY and the nearby areas.