Helpful tips as your parents age.
You and Your Aging Parent
You and Your Aging Parent
When aging parents need help, it can be an overwhelming challenge.
We are often faced with situations of concern regarding the safety and health of our aging parents. Figuring out their needs, investigating options, and making decisions can often feel overwhelming. Often putting their needs/emotions into something concrete can be helpful to provide focus.
- Assessing your parent’s needs- what do they need in their daily life? For example, medical needs, personal hygiene, meal assistance, etc. Keeping track of the services they need- for example transportation needs, in home care….
- Review your own needs and abilities. Are you the best person to provide the type of care your parents require? -Be honest as you want the decision to be sustainable. Keep in mind this may be a long range decision impacting not just you but your entire family.
- Include your parents in the process. Keeping them feeling they are in control of their life as much as possible participating in care decisions. This may take multiple conversations as for them to process all the information/impact. A positive reaction to change which is not forced can be more productive.
- Understanding the financial situation. Medical care, home assistance, transportation and day to day expenses all need to be carefully calculated to ensure proper delivery of services. Elder care lawyers and community support services can aid if needed in this process. Government programs, Medicaid, etc. can also provide financial support when needed. We want to try and avoid them becoming caught in a crunch.
- Ensure home safety. Home environment free of hazards- cords/rugs, bathroom safety- grab bars, adequate lighting. Often it is helpful to do a room by room home safety update.
- Keep communication simple and accessible. Knowing they can reach family and friends if needed often will help to decrease feelings of isolation and loneliness. Have pre programmed numbers in their phone and a home safety device if needed.
- Explore aging care options. Geriatric care managers, in-home help, Assisted living communities, Geriatric MD’s, and local government Office on Aging can be all supportive resources to support you and your parents' decision making process.
You and your aging parent can work together to come to some important and difficult conclusions. Remember there is support available with this process.
Michelle Haidacher, LCSW
CHE Quality Assurance Associate
Michelle lives in New Jersey with her husband, son and two rescue pups. She enjoys walks, travel, family/friends and playing with her pups.
About Michelle
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Art degree in both Psychology and Social Work from Rutgers University and went on to obtain her Master’s Degree from New York University in Social Work. She also holds a New Jersey certification in Supervision. Throughout her career Michelle has worked in hospital, counseling and long-term care settings along with private supervision. Michelle has worked for CHE for over 9 years most of which until recently was a direct service clinician in North Jersey.
7 Steps to Take When Aging Parents Need Help.Daily Caring, 2022.
