Council on Aging Answers 2016 - 30

Preparing For Family Caregiving
COUNCIL ON AGING - ORANGE COUNTY

advice to learn about your options.
n Documentation. Make sure all of their vital
records are recorded and kept in one binder clearly
Meeting the care needs of an older adult goes a
marked for easy retrieval. Several professionals
long way to ensure safety and quality of life. The
provide checklists that make tracking documents
cost of caregiving can be very expensive. Frequently
fairly simple. Check with their attorney, insurance
families start out providing caregiving themselves.
broker or banker for a checklist that matches your
Occasionally, friends or acquaintances will provide
parent's lifestyle. Start with the mail, ensuring
limited care in a home then perhaps a caregiving agency
that all pieces received relating to birth; marriage,
is employed. Knowing and preparing for what might
children, finance, taxes, wills and other legal mail
happen tomorrow goes a long way to ensure the safety
are all reviewed to ensure that they are accurately
and quality of life for aging parents or loved ones.
catalogued.
Many seniors are fiercely independent and resist
n
Start early with a "caregiving" routine. This
help, even from family members. They like their
can be a family member, so that your parents
independence and privacy. You may hear "I don't want
get used to having someone around at a regular
people to fuss over me, or "I raised you and your brother,
time. When "caregiving," be sure that you are
and I can take care of myself!" How about the time you
undertaking regular tasks that parents are more
arranged for a wonderful caregiver for your parent, but
eager to give up. Doing laundry or preparing
as soon as you left they fired them!
meals for later consumption are two activities that
Planning in advance for care can reduce family stress,
are easier to accept help on.
and ensure your parent or loved one can remain safely
n Make the home safe. Take this opportunity to
in their home. What can you do to prepare parents for
add grab bars, fix stair rails, add or change lights,
caregiving?
etc. Many upgrades and changes can be made
n Consider inviting family and close friends to
to keep them safe as they age at home. Do your
come together and discuss your loved one's care. If
parents still have shag carpeting in their family
possible, your loved one should be included in the
room? The time to change it is before it becomes
meeting. List the tasks that are needed so they can
a trip hazard. Do the coffee and side tables have
be more easily divided up. Let everyone discuss
hard surfaces with sharp corners? These can be
their concerns, as well as how much and what
rearranged to make for wider walking paths, and
kind of help each person can offer. If you will be
easier maneuvering if a walker or wheel chair are
the primary caregiver, it's best for you to focus on
needed.
accepting what assistance your friends and family
The best time to prepare for a family caregiver is
are offering, even if it's not exactly what you had in before one is needed. The purpose of caregiving is to
mind.
ensure the quality of life for seniors as they age in their
n Talk with your loved one about his or her finances home.
Pre-planning can ensure an easier transition rather
and health care wishes. If your relative is able
than
reacting to an emergency. As family members,
to complete a Durable Power of Attorney for
we will also be more comfortable having our parents'
finances and health care, assist her or him in
wishes known by all.
meeting with an elder law specialist to draw up
For additional information visit:
these documents. This planning can help relieve
n Caregiver Resource Center Orange Countyyour immediate anxiety and make you better
caregiveroc.org,
prepared for the future. It can also start important
n National Council on Aging- www.ncoa.org
discussions with your family members. If your
loved one doesn't have the capacity to execute
George Strickland is President, Right at Home of
Central Orange County, www.rahcentraloc.com
these documents, you will need further legal

HEALTHCARE

n George Strickland

Answers Guide 2016

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Council on Aging Answers 2016