As people age, it’s common for them to encounter different health issues, whether physical or mental.
In some cases, a person may need more care to ensure their health needs are met. Helping that person, especially when that person is your parent, can be difficult.
Approaching the situation with a plan can make the process smoother for both you and your parent. Here are a few steps to help you get started.
Before taking any major steps, it’s likely best to pause and evaluate your parent’s physical, emotional, and cognitive health. Doing so will help you determine what kind of care they need and what you should focus on moving forward.
For example, some parents may need assistance with certain daily tasks, such as dressing, medication management, and more. Some parents may also need help with their healthcare needs, like navigating Medicare insurance when seeing the doctor. They may need help with the signup process if they don’t have Medicare yet. They can visit https://boomerbenefits.com/how-to-apply-for-medicare-a-step-by-step-guide/ for a step-by-step guide.
Communicate Openly
Once you have an idea of the areas your parent needs help with, you can begin to move towards communicating your concerns with them. Conversations like these can be potentially intimidating and uncomfortable, but speaking with them honestly and with compassion can be helpful in the long run.
If there are other family members, involving them in the conversations can also help ensure everyone is on the same page about the care your parent needs.
Research Options
After you and your family have identified what care your parent needs, you can start researching the different care options available and what might be a good fit for the situation. If needed, some people look into home care services, senior living communities, or adult day care programs.
When examining the different care options, you can also check for financial assistance options. Some programs, like Medicare and Medicaid, may cover certain costs depending on the guidelines and situation. Aging care organizations are often available to assist families.
Create a Care Plan
The next step is to create a care plan. A care plan typically includes specific information, such as the exact healthcare services your parent needs, their daily routines, medication specifics, emergency contacts, and long-term goals and strategies. Some people also think of these care plans as a checklist to ensure their parents are receiving the care they need.
Senior care facilities and organizations can also help you develop a care plan, so their team can provide proper care. If your parent is receiving at-home care with a caregiver, you and the caregiver can create a plan, too.
Legal and Financial Planning
Preparing finances and legal documents is also important in the process. For example, you may want to ensure that any wills or advance healthcare directives are up to date. Some people also set up power of attorney documentation in case it becomes necessary.
In addition to legal documents, consider reviewing your parents’ financial situation. This may be easier with the help of a financial advisor to ensure everything is in order.
Build a Support Network
Once the logistics of everything are squared away, it’s important to have a support system as well. Engaging family, friends, and community where possible in this process can greatly help your parent.
Having a support system for yourself is also good to ensure you don’t get burnt out or feel too overwhelmed by everything. If you will be the primary caregiver for your parent, this is especially important, as some people can feel burdened with the care. Consider joining support groups to find a shared community, too.
Monitor and Adjust
Your parents’ care needs may change over time, so it’s good to review and update their care plan regularly as they go along. Adjustments may also need to be made in the beginning when everything is just getting started. It helps to stay flexible and be prepared to make changes when needed.
You and your parent’s care team can make adjustments more easily if you have measurable and clear goals. Some people evaluate weekly or monthly, but you can decide what is best for your parent’s situation.
You can monitor and adjust care by working with a care team and providers and, if possible, speaking directly with your parent to see how they are doing.
Conclusion
Helping your parents as they age and encounter health issues can be a difficult reality. Taking the time to evaluate what your parents need and how to organize their care can make things easier.
Bob Duncan is the lead writer and partner on ConversationsWithBianca.com. A passionate parent, he’s always excited to dive into the conversation about anything from parenting, food & drink, travel, to gifts & more!