Council on Aging - Answers 2023 - 34

COUNCIL ON AGING - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Starting the Caregiver
Conversation
Important Questions to Consider
When visiting a parent or loved one, have
you noticed their home isn't as neat and clean as
before? Are there unpaid bills, spoiled food in the
refrigerator, expired medications, or soiled clothes?
Are you concerned about these changes? If so,
this may be an indication your loved one needs
assistance to remain at home.
It's never too soon to begin a conversation about
how your loved one envisions their future. This
conversation is an opportunity for you to discuss
how you can participate in their future as a family
member and potential caregiver. As you begin
this journey together, important questions to
consider include:
n Do you know how to begin a considerate
conversation about the future?
n Is it time to arrange a family meeting that
includes your loved one?
n Does your loved one have a will or trust
and other related legal documents? Do you know
where these documents are kept?
n Is he/she managing bill paying and financial
affairs effectively?
n Does your loved one have an Advance
Health Care Directive in place?
n Are their medical conditions documented
and a healthcare binder with medical history
established?
n Who are their physicians, and what is their
healthcare insurance?
n What medications are they taking and why?
Is there an adequate medication management
system in place?
n How are your loved one's finances handled,
including bill paying?
n Have you completed a home safety checklist?
n How is their mobility? Is your loved one at
risk of falling? Are assistive devices such as a cane
or walker needed?
n Is your loved one capable of safely driving
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independently?
n Is he/she observing good hygiene and
medical care, including bathing, dental care, and
vision care?
n Can your loved one safely shower or bathe
alone?
n Does your loved one have consistent and
timely sleeping habits?
n Is your loved one eating regular nutritious
meals?
n Is an emergency monitoring system needed?
n Is a list of emergency numbers (including
yours) posted in a visible location in large print?
As you explore answers to these questions,
consider the importance of " trust...yet verify. " In
some cases a loved one doesn't want to admit they
need help, because they fear leaving their home,
or are concerned about being a burden. Yet, as
a family member or caregiver, your thoughtful,
compassionate, respectful care is just what is
needed.
Local Resources:
Council on Aging - Southern California
www.coasc.org
Caregiver Resource Center OC
www.caregiveroc.org
Articles & excerpts reprinted with permission from
the Caregiver Resource Center OC. The Caregiver
Resource Center OC is part of a statewide program
that serves as a free resource for caregivers in
California. For additional information call 1-800543-8312
or visit www.caregiveroc.org
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CAREGIVING RESOURCES

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Council on Aging - Answers 2023

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