Trusting someone you love to the care of someone else is never easy, particularly for a senior family member. Whether at home or in a facility, you’ll have questions you’ll need answered. You’ll also want to be ready to advocate for the senior to proactively manage any possible problems and also to promptly take care of problems that do come about.
For instance, review the following common caregiver concerns and how to most effectively advocate if they occur with a senior you love:
- You’re concerned about challenging behaviors. In the event the senior is susceptible to aggression, wandering, angry outbursts, hoarding, or any of a variety of other difficult behaviors, you might feel embarrassed or ashamed. Though you may prefer not to discuss the issue, it is better to share this openly with the care provider. More likely than not, they will have knowledge about effectively working with an array of personalities and personal nuances, and will be able to incorporate strategies which will work best with your family member.
- You live far away. Thanks to technology, it is easier than ever before to stay close to a long-distance relative and also to keep a finger on the pulse of how things are going. FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype with the senior frequently to check in. If a family portal is available for the care provider and family members to share notes and comments, make full use of this communication tool. And if you’re unable to visit in person, ask a friend or other member of the family who lives close by to stop in regularly.
- Your loved one has dementia. A loved one with Alzheimer’s might not be able to effectively communicate their needs and wishes. As an example, a new caregiver may not realize that Dad wears inserts in his shoes and she may put his shoes on in the morning without them. Dad might not know how to express this need or may have forgotten about this need and start to become uncomfortable that day. Or he may act out because he could be experiencing discomfort, which may lead to other issues. As the senior’s voice, make certain to share even the smallest details about the person’s preferences with the care provider.
Golden Harmony, the leading provider of care services in Raleigh and the surrounding areas, partners with families, working together to ensure the highest quality of care and life for older adults, through personalized services such as:
- Transportation and accompaniment
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Running errands
- Personal care for safe baths/showers, getting dressed, etc.
- Meal planning and preparation
- Companionship for fun conversations and activities
- And much more
Reach out to us at 919-426-7522. We’re here to alleviate caregiver concerns, starting with a no-cost in-home consultation to allow us to get to know each other and to develop a care plan to best meet the needs of an older adult you love.