by Chris Palmer, AgeSpace

Caring for an elderly person can be a difficult task if you do not have the skills up your sleeves. They can have mood swings, health issues and erratic behavior which can prove to be a major hindrance and cause a communication gap. I’m going to explain to you five simple steps through which you can take care of your beloved elderly parent and make them happier. So let’s begin!

1. Talk to them:

Before you embark on the journey of elderly caregiving, you need to communicate with your parent about their needs and expectations. Both you and your parent need to be prepared for what’s coming ahead. You should expect a drastic lifestyle change and your parent might expect a lowered level of autonomous decision-making. Communicate about the best methods of caregiving, and decide whether they want to be taken care of by a geriatric specialist or their own family. This primarily depends on their individual health condition, as well.


2. Discuss the Finances

Probably one of the most important topics that you’ll need to take care of before you begin the caregiving is sorting out the financial matters. You need to discuss with your elderly parent and their attorney (preferable) about the property they hold, the insurance matters and their pension (if any). If their needs will be catered from their own money and they have no pension, consider Equity Release. Get a financial adviser if you think you need help with important decisions.


3. Get Help

You don’t have to do the caregiving all by yourself. Try getting help from your friends and family. Involve your siblings in the process. Have your kids take care of their grandparents. There’s nothing more fulfilling for a grandparent than getting to spend time with their grandkids. Consider getting respite are every now and then. It is good for both the caregiver and the elderly. Preparing meals at home can be very time-taking. Consider contacting meal services to save time.


4. Make Necessary Changes

 If you have your elders brought in to your home, you might need to make necessary changes to your living space in order to make it more comfortable for your elderly parents. You should make sure you have smoke detectors installed and working just fine. Install grab bars and anti-skid pads in the bathroom to provide support and avoid falling. Make sure the lighting is enough for both day and night. Light up the hallway outside their room, the kitchen and their bathroom. Preferably, install an alarm in their room. Get them a cell phone so they may call you when needed.


5. Check Up With the Doctor

Make sure to stay in touch with your parent’s doctor. Check up on their medicines regularly and see if they doses are available. It is preferable to keep them stacked. Always get their medicines from authentic and reputable pharmacies. If you can, do visit the doctor with them and discuss with him the health issues of your parent along with their solutions. Keep a track of their nutritional details.
With a few simple steps, you can successfully take care of your elderly parent and you’ll enjoy it much more.

Author Bio:   
This article was written by Chris Palmer who regularly shares advice on elderly care, in particular dementia and supporting your elderly parent. You can find more by Chris on: https://www.agespace.org/