Whether you stepped up to be a caregiver for an elderly loved one or the role was more or less given to you for one reason or another, there will always be the need to make decisions. Some of them are fairly mundane, but others are very important and sometimes difficult to make. Let’s take a moment to go over some of the things you can do as a family caregiver when it’s time to make difficult decisions about your loved one’s care.
Get Professional Input
With some care decisions, it can be helpful to seek input from appropriate professionals. For instance, if you think your loved one may need to grant power of attorney to another person because of his or her decreasing cognitive abilities, you may be able to make a more informed decision after talking to your loved one’s doctor and a lawyer specializing in elder care matters.
Talk to Other Family Members
Even if you’re the primary caregiver or the one your mom or dad prefers, it never hurts to see what other family members have to say when difficult decisions have to be made. At the very least, you should be able to get some added support as you discuss the possibilities and explore your options.
Be Open to New Ideas
As a family caregiver, it’s easy to default to one way of thinking about care to the point where newer or alternative ideas are blocked out. But if you have a nonjudgmental approach to new ideas, you may find a solution that could be just right for your loved one.
A professional caregiver can be a fantastic source of information and encouragement for both you and your loved one. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Waterloo, ON, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.
See What Community Services Are Available
Once you do a little digging and exploring, you may be surprised to discover local resources you didn’t realize you had at your disposal. For example, if your dilemma involves concerns about mobility limitations, a senior transportation service or a local builder specializing in senior-friendly home updates could give you more options to explore.
Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading senior care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.
Consider Hiring a Professional Mediator
There may come a time when difficult care decisions leave everyone involved with completely opposing views. With certain situations of this nature, your loved one may not be in a position to clearly express what he or she wants. If this is the case, consider working with a professional mediator who can help with the decision-making process by:
• Going through the pros and cons of all available options
• Moderating family meetings when it’s necessary to do so
• Breaking down care needs so a series of smaller, more manageable decisions can be made
Test & Refine
Typically, caregiving decisions aren’t absolutely set in stone or irreversible. This often leaves room to implement any decisions you make or encourage your loved one to make in a way that allows for adjustment and refinement. In other words, if there are still minor issues here and there, you can address the lingering issues while keeping what’s working in place.
One of the most important decisions you can make is whether to hire a caregiver for your loved one. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional in-home care, Waterloo Home Care Assistance should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults manage their health and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years. Rely on the professionals at Home Care Assistance to provide high-quality compassionate care for your loved one. Give us a call today at (519) 954-2111 to learn about our flexible in-home care plans.