elderly parents Archives - Tammie's Take~

How a Care Agency Can Help Your Elderly Parents

Reviews · April 30, 2019

Care agencies provide care for those who need it so that seniors can stay at home. For those with busy lives and a family of their own, it can be difficult providing for elderly parents and there is no need to feel guilty about asking for help. If your elderly parents are struggling with everyday tasks such as making meals, it may be time to enlist the help of a care agency who can visit as little or as often as needed. Care agencies are very flexible and are a great way to provide additional support, so you can take a step back and relax.

They Can Provide Meals

For many elderly people, making meals can become increasingly difficult and some conditions such as dementia can make it almost impossible. Unfortunately, as we get older, simple tasks can become very strenuous and this can lead to many older people becoming malnourished. There is no need to go into a care home just because you are struggling to make meals; a care agency can come in and provide help and ensure that your parents are eating regularly. This can help them to have a regular routine and eating three good meals a day is essential, especially as you get older. You can purchase ready-made meals or make extra at your own meal times and freeze some for your parents. If cooking is becoming too strenuous a task or your elderly parents are skipping meals or forgetting they haven’t eaten, a care agency can provide support with meal times. For those with dementia, it may be best to remove the option of a cooker, as often they can forget that they have started to cook something, and it may be that they cause damage to their home or themselves.

They Can Assist with Housework

Sometimes simple things such as vacuuming and washing clothes can prove too much for those who are older. If you have a full-time job, it can be difficult getting around enough to ensure that things are washed and clean at all times. Care agencies can provide support with the house too, such as cleaning dishes after meal times and assisting with washing and drying clothes. This can be a huge help to those who cannot do it themselves and can make all the difference. That being said, care agencies will not do a full deep clean of the house, although they will help out when needed. If your parent’s home needs a thorough cleaning, it may be best to hire a cleaner.

They Can Help with Medication

Many older people are on a variety of medications and it can be difficult to keep up with them all. If your elderly parents are suffering from any form of mental health problem, it may be that looking after their own medication is not an option. If you do not have time to go in each day and make certain that they have taken the right medications, a care agency can provide staff to do so. This is an essential part of care work and although it doesn’t seem like much, for those who cannot take their own medication due to forgetfulness, it gives them the choice to live at home and be supported. Missing medication for some conditions could be disastrous, especially if your elderly parents have mental health problems. It also prevents your parents from an accidental overdose due to not remembering they had already taken their medication earlier in the day.

They Provide General Support

Care agencies provide support for many different reasons, including housework, medication purposes, and meals. They can also help your elderly parents to get up in the mornings and go to bed at night. A lot of parents do not want their child to wash and clean them, so hiring a care agency means that they can have this support without any embarrassment on your part. Although they did the exact same for you, many parents prefer a professional to come in and assist them, rather than have you do it. If one of your parents is struggling more than the other, it may be that one of your parents has become a caregiver to the other. As they are both older, this could cause extra strain on the parent that is managing well and could cause further problems. It can be a difficult task assisting someone to wash and dress, so allowing a care agency to come in and help is the best option all round. If your parents do not get out much, this also provides them with additional emotional and social support, allowing them to have someone to talk to and a friendly face visiting them each day.

It Ensures They Can Stay at Home

The most important way that care agencies help elderly parents is by providing the freedom for them to stay at home. Many people do not want to leave the house they have so many memories in, so assisted living or a care home is not an option. If you are struggling to provide enough care for your elderly parents, a care agency can bridge that gap and allow them to live happily and safely in their own home. This can also give you peace of mind that they are being looked after when you aren’t there. If you want to learn more about what care agencies can do for you and your parents, follow the link.

Care agencies provide emotional and physical support for elderly parents. It is important to find a care agency with good staff, as they will be coming into your parents’ home each day. A reputable care agency will have warm and welcoming staff and provide holistic and person-centered care to your parents. If you need some support when caring for your parents, speak to a care agency to see what they can offer you. Care plans and visiting times can be scheduled around you, so your parent can get the support they need to live at home safely.

What To Look For When Choosing A Nursing Home For Your Parents

Reviews · December 18, 2018

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The idea of choosing a nursing home for our parents is something that most of us would rather avoid talking about or even thinking about, but it’s something that oftentimes can’t and shouldn’t be avoided – especially at times when there could be safety issues or you just feel like it might be a better solution for whatever reason.

The good thing is, nursing homes have come a long way over the years and are quite far removed from what they used to be. Nowadays they’re places where the needs of residents are taken care of and they’re given individual care and attention, and where they can socialize and actually meet other people so that they don’t feel lonely like they would when being home on their own all the time.

However, not all nursing homes are great and it’s not something you should just jump right into without doing your research first. There have been many cases over the years concerning nursing homes with cases of abuse and neglect of their residents and this is certainly not something you want to subject your beloved parents to.

If you’re currently in the situation or later find yourself in the situation where you do notice things like abuse or neglect from a nursing home, then it’s important to seek legal advice to ensure the correct action is taken against the home. For example, someone like Gray and White Law can handle your legal needs in cases like this.

In this post, we’re going to share with you some things to consider when it comes to what you should look for when choosing a nursing home for your parents.

Does it have a good reputation?

Reputation is everything in business and a good company – especially one in the healthcare industry will want to ensure they have a great one if they truly care about what they do. News travels fast, so ask around and do your homework to check if the nursing home you’re considering has a good reputation.

How does it look inside?

First impressions really do count, and since nursing homes often cost quite a bit of money, it’s important that the facilities are reflective of that. If you walk into a place that’s falling apart and look like no one has touched it with a vacuum in weeks, then this can be an indicator of bad management which will spill over into the actual resident care as well.

How do the residents appear?

Take some time to visit the home you’re considering and ask to be shown around. Look at how the residents appear to be – are they left sitting in corners on their own for hours on end or are they being engaged in activities and encouraged to stay active and socialize?

Is the cost manageable?

Nursing homes aren’t the cheapest of places, but you are paying for everything your parent needs on a daily basis, so the cost is understandable. However, it’s worth considering if you can afford the cost or if it’s something that’s going to cause you to be stretched financially.

Bringing An Elderly Parent To Stay: Can You Do It?

Reviews · July 30, 2018

It’s easy to forget that elderly parents won’t alway have their independence. Eventually, many elderly individuals will reach the point where they can no longer cope without help. This could be due to a mental or physical decline. Don’t forget, as you age, the chances of developing conditions like Alzheimer’s increase while the body gets weaker. When you’re young, you can recover from a broken leg in weeks. When you are over seventy, it will take months, and the pain or discomfort will last for years. Your leg may never return to its original condition.You can see then why your parents will need help and support. But where will they turn to get it?

Full-Time care is an option in a residential home. Or, alternatively, you could be thinking about bringing an elderly parent to live with you. This can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to give back to your parent, helping them keep their independence and ensuring that they are comfortable. However, it’s also a lot of work, a heavy commitment and a massive life change. You need to be prepared.

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Are You Emotionally Ready?

Don’t forget, once you make this decision you will typically be moving away from your role as a daughter or son and moving towards the position of carer. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it is a massive commitment. You do need to think about whether you can handle this. Remember, the way your parent views you will change. You will have to make the tough choices, deciding when they should and shouldn’t have full independence. This can be frustrating and may lead to volatile situations.

You can avoid this by hiring a full-time live-in carer. This will also allow you to have more control of your personal life and spare time, so it is certainly worth considering.

Is Your Home Set Up Correctly?

The next step is to make sure that your home is set up the right way. You need to make sure that it is both safe and indeed comfortable for your parent. Ideally, you do want to make sure that there are facilities both up and downstairs. You may also need to think about adding railings to the bathroom, hand bars and potentially a stair lift as well. If your parent is in a wheelchair, ramps may also be beneficial.

Of course, comfort is a top consideration too. It’s crucial that your elderly parent has their own space in your home and that they don’t feel like a guest. You also need to invest in specialist furniture such as the aged care tables you would find in a care home. These are the right height and design for elderly individuals.

Get The Family Ready

Finally, don’t forget that this change won’t just affect your life. It will alter the life of your entire family. Once again, you need to be prepared. Make sure that everyone is on board and understands the change. Let children know why this happening and what their role will be in this scenario. If everyone knows their place, you can make the transition far easier.

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We hope this helps you deal with the decision to bring your elderly parent to live with you.