Unfortunately, it is often the case that the burden of care for a senior, falls to one member of the family. However, it is possible - and even necessary - that all members help so that one person does not become burnt out. Try and schedule a family meeting when care first becomes necessary so that all can see what needs to be done.
Encourage all to voice their concerns, make suggestions and give advice. Ask them to take responsibility for one area each; that way, the burden is shared and becomes much easier. Some can take care of the mowing and gardening, others can do the housework and/or cooking while another can be responsible for taking the senior to appointments.
Seniors should also have something to say about who will do what if possible. In some cases this won’t be possible and in other cases their suggestions may cause ill will or hardship. For example, they could want their favorite child to do everything, or the one who lives furthest away to visit most often. In this case simply explain kindly who is able to do which task and why.
The person in the family who lives the closest will naturally be the one who does the daily tasks, but that doesn’t mean that she should do them all the time. Each person may need a break and so the tasks could be swapped around if other family members agree.
Those who are the closest should all have access keys and know where important documents are kept in case of emergencies. If all the family lives too far away, then there are three choices. The senior goes to live with some of the family, the senior lives at an assisted living facility, or they stay at home and depend on the care offered by government programs.
These are quite diverse and can included assistance with providing meals and transport, health care appointments, help with shopping and community nursing care. The family really needs to get involved with the care or at least with arranging for care, so they know what is going on and if anything else needs to be done. Eventually finances will need to be attended to and bills will need paying.
Luckily, these days there cell phones and the Internet to keep in contact and you can even shop online and have goods delivered straight to the senior’s front door.
Should you require the additional professional assistance of a memory care facility, contact Applewood Our House.
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