When You Need to Care for an Elderly Relative

Caring for the elderly requires more than extra space, some medical equipment and heart full of love. There are financial, legal and long-term planning issues that can take you buy surprise, and they inevitably arise at the exact point at which you simply can't handle another "thing-to-do."

Proactive Planning for Elderly Caregivers

Here are 5 things to consider and begin moving in to place as you prepare to care for an elderly loved one.

1.     Safety first. Whether the senior plans to age-in-place or will be moving in with you, safety is a top priority. Seniors are prone to trip-and-fall accidents, a leading cause of knee and hip replacements as well as traumatic brain injuries, all of which can lead to or exacerbate existing memory issues. Work to minimize trip hazards, increase both day- and nighttime safety lighting and eliminate steps or uneven thresholds wherever possible. Grab bars should be installed in toilet and shower areas and exposed cords should be safely re-routed. Read, "Making Your Home Senior Friendly," for more tips on simple fixes that improve senior health, mobility and safety.

2.    Consult with a home healthcare provider. Seniors who are still active, mobile and/or independent may balk at the idea of consulting with a in-home care provider at this stage of the game. However, creating a long-term care plan is so much better than reacting in a knee-jerk fashion when the inevitable declines in physical and/or mental well-being take place as the result of aging. Age-related decline is an inevitable part of life so consulting with in-home care providers now can yield valuable (free!) insight and information that speeds up the implementation of available services when you need them most.

3.    Wrap up legal and financial affairs. Ideally, this will be done while the senior is still in complete control of his or her mental faculties. Even after a dementia or Alzheimer's diagnosis, lawyers can work with families to establish a Power of Attorney, Will or Living Trust, Advanced Medical Directive and other important legal/financial documents that are invaluable if and when they're needed. Failure to take care of these issues now can cause significant emotional stress and serious complications down the road.

4.    Become insurance savvy. Similarly, a failure to understand exactly what medical treatments, therapies, healthcare provision, medical equipment, prescriptions, etc., are covered - or not covered - by the senior's insurance providers is essential in creating their long-term care budget. Unless your adept at reading documented fine-print, contact Medicare, Medicaid, and/or the senior's private insurance carrier and speak directly with representatives who will work to shed light on the ins-and-outs of the existing health insurance coverage.

5.    Learn about respite care options. Respite care is essential for caregivers so they can preserve their own mental and physical well-being. It is available in many forms, ranging from adult daycare options and volunteer companions to skilled in-home nursing care provided by licensed and certified healthcare professionals. Establishing a relationship with a reputable respite care provider can be the difference between losing yourself in the endless demands of full-time caregiving or being able to maintain necessary appointments, run errands, maintain relationships with spouses, family and friends and taking that much-needed, annual vacation.

Caring for the elderly is a full-time job, and requires a limitless supply of compassion, love and inner-drive. By addressing each of the points above, you will be better able to sustain those qualities as long as they are required.

Visit Nurse Registry online to learn more about our private nursing and respite care services. We're happy to assist you in creating a long-term care plan for your senior loved one.