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/

A person should conduct his or her own research, when looking for a vacation destination that is senior friendly and can accommodate their needs. Start by searching the internet for information about the vacation destinations, which can accommodate your special needs. Ask the travel agent, if there are guided tours that are senior friendly or can accommodate special needs as well.

Special Needs

After picking a vacation spot, be sure to call ahead to the hotel and discuss your loved ones special needs. Ask the manager if you can bring whatever medical equipment that you will need like: oxygen and motorized wheelchair. Before setting up a guided tour, be sure to ask if they can accommodate wheelchair or medical equipment. However, be sure to keep all medications on you at all times, instead of leaving it in the hotel room.

Researching the Destination

Take the time to research each destination that you want to vacation at, in order to find the best places to visit with your loved one. Call ahead to each hotel in the area and ask about the types of accommodations that they offer for seniors. This way, you will know exactly what each hotel offers, before picking a travel package that includes hotel accommodations. By doing your homework, you will find the best senior friendly vacation destinations.

Laws & Customs

Always research the country or state you are planning to visit, before you decide to head out on your amazing adventure. Sometimes, tourists experience culture shock, due to the differences his or her customs and beliefs. Be sure to research and learn the local laws or customs, while planning your trip. Every country is different, so be sure to find out whether you need special vaccinations or a legal document.

Travel Agents

Call different travel agents, since each one has different offers and they are familiar with what the vacation package offers. The travel agents will be able to help you discover the best hotel and guided tours, which will fit your family's needs. Don't be afraid to ask about senior discounts, because these will help you save money. Ask a lot of questions when talking to the travel agent, so you will know your rights as a traveler.

Guided Tours

Look for special guided tours, which may offer a senior friendly tour and other perks like: dining and entertainment. These types of tours will tell you right away, if they can accommodate seniors with special medical needs. The guided tour will allow you to enjoy everything the vacation destination has to offer, which you may not discover on your own. However, you may want to explore the destination on your own as well, so choose the best package for your wants and needs.

Conclusion

Take the time to do proper research about the destination, which you plan on visiting with your loved one. Be sure to look for senior friendly destinations, as well as hotels that can accommodate special medical needs like equipment or wheelchair. Additionally, call the attraction or restaurants you plan to visit and ask about their senior friendly accommodations as well. Therefore, by following these tips, you are bound to find the dream vacation that you are looking to experience.

Families should be the first choice in caring for an aging loved one, since the loved one will recuperate better in familiar surroundings. The entire family should be given a voice, on whether he or she will become a full-time caregiver. However, a reality is that some families are unable or unfit, so the hospital would be the proper choice in these circumstances. If a family is willing to care for their loved one, the aging member actually benefits for the closeness of the family unit.

Create a Plan

First, the entire family should discuss their aging loved ones health care and make a plan, which can be instituted once it is needed. One family member may become the fulltime caregiver, while other family members come by and help as needed. This will give the fulltime caregiver a break, as well as peace of mind knowing their loved one is safe while they run errands. The entire family will transition into their new roles, by discussing and creating the plan before the emergency.

Thinking about Pets

Most aging loved ones have pets, which cannot be brought to the nursing home with him or her. Instead, he or she can keep the beloved pet at home or even at a relative’s home, instead of having to give away another piece of his or her life. Sometimes, the relative may have a pet that he or she can become attached to as well. Fortunately, pets can help keep him or her from becoming depressed with the new circumstances that they are faced with.

Teenagers and Small Children

Be sure to let teenagers and small children help out in different ways like reading a book to singing with their loved one. In addition, the child can take him or her for a walk or help clean up the room as needed. Children are usually welcomed by the aging loved one, since children make them laugh and given them someone to chat with. Sometimes, they may not be in the mood to deal with a small child, so families should judge her or her mood first.  

Choosing a Nursing Home

Not all families can provide around-the-clock care for an aging loved one and this may put the loved ones life at risk. Unfortunately, there are also family members who are unfit to care for an aging loved one. In these situations, the family will need to find a good nursing home that will care for his or her aging loved one in the proper way. They should investigate and ask other patients about the facility or its nurses, as well as visit often to detour any possible abuse.

In conclusion, a family should be given the option of caring for their aging loved one, before a nursing home is consulted. The entire family should develop a plan before their loved one gets ill, in order to take the stress out of this transition and role reversal. Additionally, pets and children can help an aging loved one, by keeping them from get depressed and by also keeping them moving. However, if a nursing home is chosen, the family should make sure it is an abuse-free facility by investigating it before their loved one moves in.   

By, Crystal S. Kauffman, Contributing Writer

Parents are an enormous part of a child's life, as they begin to grow into adulthood. Soon, their children begin growing up and starting their own families. This causes them to become less dependent on their parents, due to their new found responsibilities. Unfortunately, this can create loneliness in the parent, especially when they realize that they have an empty nest. Some seniors are faced with chronic medical problems that seem to rob them of their independence.

Soon, the feelings of loneliness and worthlessness will manage to invade their heart. Sometimes they will begin withdrawing from family functions and begin feeling depressed. Without immediate medical care, the depression will take over their lives and cause them to contemplate suicide. Most seniors feel like they are a burden to their family members or others who may be helping them. Each family member must look for the red flags or warning signs that will let them know how their parent feels.

Look for sudden withdrawals from normal activities, excessive anger or frustration, or feelings of wanting to die. The best way to combat the depression is to understand the symptoms and find them the proper medical help immediately. Financial issues can also lead a retired senior, into thinking that they would be better off dead. However, the only way that families can stop this silent killer, is by being supportive and recognize the signs of depression.

Try making time to be a part of their life daily, if just call them daily and let them talk about whatever you want. Take them out for a movie or to eat at their favorite restaurant, because it is the little things that will help bring them out of their depression. Make the aging parent feel wanted and needed, because it can help families keep their loved one from suffering with depression.

The loneliness can disappear and the aging family member will feel happy and full of love. Honestly, there is no easy way to handle the depression that most seniors face, as they become less independent. Just letting them know someone cares will brighten their day and help them feel special. Create a scrapbook of memories to share with them and let them pick out their favorite pictures.

Sometimes, just spending the day with them will let enjoy their grandchildren, as well as their adult child. Never ignore the warning signs of depression or loneliness in an aging parent. Step in and do little things like laundry or cooking, because that will allow them to spend time doing their favorite hobby like puzzles or sewing.

Reference: Personal Experience


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