As the caregiver of an aging parent, there’s no doubt you are giving them all the love, patience, and comfort they need, but seeing to the business side of caring for them can be more challenging. Managing the legal, financial, and health-related issues can be an overwhelming responsibility.
At Blue Water Homecare, we help take care of aging seniors too, and we are here to help guide and assist you during this transitional time when you as a child become more like the parent in charge.
Here are five tips that our experienced team of at-home senior caregivers share to help advocate for aging parents when it comes to their medical affairs and health concerns:
Five Tips to Help Advocate for Aging Parents
- Keep their current list of medications close by. It is always important to know what they are taking, how much of it, and when. Seniors are often prescribed multiple medications at a time and helping them to keep dosages and frequency straight is essential for their health and safety. Plus, in the event of an emergency, you’ll want to be able to share this information with other medical professionals.
- Establish a main contact/caregiver for them. Speaking of an emergency, your parents’ physicians and other caregivers should all be able to reach one main point of contact if needed and in an efficient manner. Make sure that person is designated on legal documents, such as a Medical Power of Attorney, granting permission to make split-second medical decisions. Also ensure all important phone numbers are easy for loved ones and their caregivers to find.
- Create medical care documents for them, such as directives. Ensure that your parents’ wishes for their future care and treatment of any potential medical condition are recorded. This will help you to effectively communicate with their physicians, social workers, or lawyers if needed.
- Accompany them to any doctors’ appointments. Being with them at important appointments not only provides comfort, but it can also foster clarity as well. Seniors can have a hard time understanding a diagnosis or treatment instructions if their hearing is impaired or their memory has begun to fade due to dementia.
- Ask questions. Speak up for your parents when they are unable to do so on their own. Be their eyes, ears, and most importantly, their voice, as you know them better than anyone else. Ask them before appointments if they have any questions or concerns they’d like for you to articulate on their behalf, and ensure that your questions are answered too so that you are thoroughly educated on their condition and care needed.
It is a big responsibility to take on the care of a loved one. When you need help, Blue Water Homecare is here for you. We can assist with basic homecare services for your parents such as bathing and grooming, housekeeping, meal preparation, and rehabilitation compliance.
In addition to at-home care, Blue Water also provides dedicated programs for dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, and end-of-life hospice care and bereavement support.
Contact Blue Water Homecare Today
For more information, please call 512-872-2955 or contact us online for a free in-home assessment or a consultation. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.