Trusting someone you love to the care of someone else is never easy, especially for an older family member. Whether at home or in a facility, you’ll have questions you need answered. You’ll also want to be prepared to advocate for the senior to proactively address any potential problems and to promptly resolve issues that do occur.
For instance, review the following common situations and how to best advocate for a senior loved one if they arise:
- You live at a distance. Thanks to technology, it’s easier than ever to stay close to a long-distance relative and to keep a finger on the pulse of how things are going. FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype with the senior regularly to check in. If an online 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 not able to visit in person, ask a friend or other family member who lives nearby to stop in routinely.
- Your loved one has dementia. A senior with dementia may not be able to effectively communicate their wishes and needs. For 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 may not know how to express this need or may have forgotten about this need and be uncomfortable that day. Or he may act out because he is experiencing discomfort, which could lead to other issues. As the senior’s voice, be sure to share even the smallest details about the person’s preferences with the care provider.
- You’re concerned about challenging behaviors. If the senior is prone to aggression, wandering, angry outbursts, hoarding, or any of a plethora of other difficult behaviors, you may feel ashamed or embarrassed. Though you may prefer not to discuss the issue, it’s best to share this openly with the care provider. More likely than not, they have experience with effectively working with a wide range of personalities and personal nuances, and will be able to incorporate strategies that will work best with your loved one.
Independence-4-Seniors Home Care partners with families, working together to ensure the best quality of care and life for seniors, through customized services such as:
- Meal planning and preparation
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Personal care for safe baths/showers, getting dressed, etc.
- Companionship for fun activities and conversations
- Transportation and accompaniment
- Running errands
- And more
Contact us at (630) 323-4665 for a free in-home consultation to allow us to get to know each other and to develop a care plan to best meet the needs of a senior you love.