How To Create An Effective Care Plan For Ageing Parents

Caregiving for older parents can be overwhelming, given the many factors involved. Figuring out their care needs, researching your options, and committing to a decision can feel overwhelming. Take these steps to create a realistic and practical plan so your elderly parents feel safe and supported in their golden years.

1. Assess your parent’s needs

The reason why caring for an elderly loved one feels overwhelming is that most people are not exactly sure what they need to do. Take a step back and focus on understanding how much assistance they require in their everyday life.

There are eight key areas you should look out for:

• Home safety
• Cognitive health
• Family support
• Medical needs
• Personal hygiene
• Mobility aids (e.g. wheelchairs and foldable walking frames)
• Meal preparation
• Social interaction

By considering these different aspects, you can identify the areas that they will likely require more support. This will allow you to create a targeted plan catered to the individual.

2. Consider your own abilities and needs

Caregivers often neglect their own needs when caring for others. Some may also suffer burnout from the lack of support or the inability to cope with the overwhelming demands of caregiving. To get a better understanding of where you stand, consider your own abilities, needs, and available resources by asking yourself these questions:

• Are you healthy and fit enough to physically care for someone?
• Does your personality enable or hinder you from providing the care they need?
• Are you willing to learn how to provide care for others?
• Do you live near your parents and can drop by as often as necessary?
• Would you want to live together under the same roof?
• Does your relationship with your parents allow you to spend time together without creating any negative feelings on either side?

Everyone wants to keep their parents safe and healthy, and it is never heartless nor selfish to think that you may not be the best person to provide that care. In reality, you show that you are a caring and supporting child by making the best arrangements to guarantee they receive the support they need.

Making an honest assessment as early as possible will help you avoid getting into an unsustainable situation. Remember that if you get burnt out physically or mentally by taking on more than you can handle, you will not be able to help your parents or yourself.

3. Include your elderly loved ones in the process

People do not want to lose control of their lives, especially if they are already worried about losing their independence. This is why involving your parents in the process is vital so that they see you as a partner helping them adjust instead of enforcing changes that they do not agree with. Especially when it comes to making decisions such as choosing between assisted living or in-home care, involving the elderly person in the decision-making process is essential. 

Since most seniors tend to be resistant at first, it is best to gradually introduce these changes as and when you start to notice that they need more support. Start with less intrusive approaches first, such as home fixtures to create an elder-friendly environment, so they can see the benefits and will be more open to other future suggestions.

4. Address home safety basics

Safety hazards in the home add up over time and increase the risk of older adults tripping, falling, or hurting themselves in some way. Preventing such accidents will go a long way in keeping your elderly loved ones safe and independent for as long as possible.

A few quick fixes you can get started with include:

• Clear the clutter from floors and walkways
• Install grab bars in the bathrooms and stairways
• Ensure light switches are easily accessible and every room is brightly lit
• Relocate appliances for easier access
• Remove rugs or carpets that might cause tripping

5. Ensure communication is easy and accessible

Always ensure that there are clear communication channels for your parents to call for assistance and keep in touch with family members. Not only is this useful in the event of emergencies, it also creates the opportunity for everyone to stay in touch, reducing the risk of isolation and negative health outcomes. Within the house, you can also consider a wearable medical alert device to allow users to alert their caregivers when needed.

Conclusion

With proper consideration of all these factors above, you will have a clearer idea of how to create an effective care plan for your ageing parents, so they can enjoy quality of life in their golden years.

If you are looking for eldercare equipment or mobility products, look no further than The Golden Concepts. We provide a wide range of high-quality mobility aids and home safety furniture to enable your loved ones to feel safe and comfortable with greater independence. Feel free to reach out to us for more information about our elderly aids such as lift chairs for the elderly, wheelchairs, nursing homecare beds, and more.