Six Things You Should Do and Shouldn’t Do When Providing Care
Plans are that you and your other close family members will provide care to an aging parent. It’s not uncommon for family caregivers to be overwhelmed and unprepared to care for a senior loved one. That doesn’t mean it’s a job you can’t handle. You should join a support group and learn the things that you should and shouldn’t do when providing care to your senior.
Don’t Let Your Parent Refuse Important Tasks
Don’t let your parent refuse to do things if you know it’s unsafe. If your dad refuses to take his heart medications, you’ll have to get him to take them anyway. Some pills can be crushed and added to smoothies without his knowledge.
If your mom refuses to stop driving after her doctor told her to, take the keys and car away. Move them to another house if necessary.
Do Involve the Family
Ask your siblings, aunts and uncles, and cousins who are close to your mom or dad for help. They may want to help but don’t want to intrude. If you can enlist their help, create a schedule and have everyone who wants to chip in for an hour or two each day or week.
Don’t Push Too Hard
After decades of living on their own and raising a family, the elderly are used to making the rules. It’s hard to have someone else come in and set rules. Though it’s may tempting to push, resist the urge. You can try again later.
Do Lie When Necessary
You may find your mom balks when you ask her to get ready for a doctor’s appointment. She locks herself into the bathroom. You don’t have time and start to get frustrated.
It’s hard to push your parents without making them feel like a child. You may have to be creative. If your mom refuses to leave the house, tell a white lie that you want to go out to eat but don’t want to go alone. Stop at the doctor’s first and then go to lunch.
Don’t Change Things Without Input
You might think cleaning would be easier if the sofa was over there and the table is here. Your mom may not like you rearranging her furniture without permission. If things could be moved for a better flow, ask her if she’s ever thought about putting something here and another thing there. Plant the seed and see if she decides to try.
Do Arrange Home Care Services
Home care services provider is something you must arrange. You can’t devote so much time to caregiving that you stop taking care of yourself. Home care services agencies offer respite care services. Take a day off and let a caregiver take over. You get a break, and your mom or dad doesn’t have to be alone. Call us now to learn more.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Rockwell NC, please contact the caring staff at TenderHearted Home Care today. (704) 612-4132.
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