Living independently is something we all want to be able to do throughout our adulthood, but it isn't always easy or feasible. Sometimes tasks need to be taken care of by someone else and often our children are the ones who handle many of our care needs. While they- children want to help, it can put some burden on their own daily lives. There are ways to make living independently easier that can reduce a child's need to become a full-time caregiver. Here are a few quick suggestions.
First, do what you can to make independent living as easy as possible. Install safety features in the home, such as helpful bars around the bathtub and toilet areas. Replace a high bed with a lower one that is easier to navigate. Remove area rugs as people can easily get their foot caught on an edge and trip. Make sure that there are sturdy rails by stairs and that hallways and pathways are not cluttered and difficult to maneuver around. You can even replace front and back exterior stairs with ramps to make it all safe and more accessible. Also make sure there are night lights in all the rooms and hallways.
Take a look at the kitchen and re-arrange things so that all the pots, pans and dishes are easy to reach. Provide a microwave and toaster oven so that quick meals are easy to prepare. Keep the cupboards filled with canned goods and dry goods and fill the freezer with a variety of easy-to-prepare foods. See if there is a grocery store in the area that can deliver fresh items such as milk and produce every week. Buy pill organizers and place medications inside so that your parent won't have to remember if pills were taken or how much to take.
It's also wise to have a conversation with your parent about finances. At some point, you also will want to talk about wills, trusts and directives. It's good to know where information is kept in case of emergency, but if your parent seems to need or want some help with paying bills and managing a budget, you need to know the location of all of the pertinent information. If their budget permits, it might be nice to have some in-home care. This might include having someone come in and complete housekeeping chores once each week and perhaps shopping, grooming and dressing chores.
To find an in-home caregiver, it is easiest to find a screening service that identifies and researches various caregivers and companies to find the best ones in your area. CarePlacement.com, for example, researches licensed in-home caregivers, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and other eldercare options. They will take down a list of your current needs as well as how much you can afford and provide you with a list of candidates to consider.
Once you have a few names, write out a list of questions to ask these candidates or the home-care agencies. Find out how much experience the caregiver has had, ask for references and contact these references and ask about the level of care. Ask about what your parent can expect in terms of care such as the services that will be provided and how often the caregiver will be at their home. It is also wise to get a list of services in writing, as well as the costs. Also ask what happens if a caregiver is unable to come to work for a scheduled day or visit.
First, do what you can to make independent living as easy as possible. Install safety features in the home, such as helpful bars around the bathtub and toilet areas. Replace a high bed with a lower one that is easier to navigate. Remove area rugs as people can easily get their foot caught on an edge and trip. Make sure that there are sturdy rails by stairs and that hallways and pathways are not cluttered and difficult to maneuver around. You can even replace front and back exterior stairs with ramps to make it all safe and more accessible. Also make sure there are night lights in all the rooms and hallways.
Take a look at the kitchen and re-arrange things so that all the pots, pans and dishes are easy to reach. Provide a microwave and toaster oven so that quick meals are easy to prepare. Keep the cupboards filled with canned goods and dry goods and fill the freezer with a variety of easy-to-prepare foods. See if there is a grocery store in the area that can deliver fresh items such as milk and produce every week. Buy pill organizers and place medications inside so that your parent won't have to remember if pills were taken or how much to take.
It's also wise to have a conversation with your parent about finances. At some point, you also will want to talk about wills, trusts and directives. It's good to know where information is kept in case of emergency, but if your parent seems to need or want some help with paying bills and managing a budget, you need to know the location of all of the pertinent information. If their budget permits, it might be nice to have some in-home care. This might include having someone come in and complete housekeeping chores once each week and perhaps shopping, grooming and dressing chores.
To find an in-home caregiver, it is easiest to find a screening service that identifies and researches various caregivers and companies to find the best ones in your area. CarePlacement.com, for example, researches licensed in-home caregivers, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and other eldercare options. They will take down a list of your current needs as well as how much you can afford and provide you with a list of candidates to consider.
Once you have a few names, write out a list of questions to ask these candidates or the home-care agencies. Find out how much experience the caregiver has had, ask for references and contact these references and ask about the level of care. Ask about what your parent can expect in terms of care such as the services that will be provided and how often the caregiver will be at their home. It is also wise to get a list of services in writing, as well as the costs. Also ask what happens if a caregiver is unable to come to work for a scheduled day or visit.
About the Author:
Kristana Jenson loves reading home health care blogs. For more information about assisted living Vista facilities or to find more about board and care Oceanside services, please check out the Care Placement website now.
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