It takes a family working together to choose the most
appropriate option for a loved one’s senior care
Why Is It Important?
To begin, seniors are at a vulnerable stage of life. They often
face multiple health concerns and loss of physical and cognitive
function. More now than ever, seniors need the support and love
of family members.
Seniors often have difficulty expressing their needs, desires and
preferences, so they must have someone to advocate for them.
And who is more qualified for that than the people who know
them better than anyone else in the world?
Even if your family chooses to involve outside help in providing
your loved one’s elder care — an inhome care agency, an
assisted living community or a nursing home — families still
need to be involved. Families can better communicate with the
professional caregivers your loved one’s likes and dislikes, habits,
routines, concerns and all the other things that make them an
individual. Without your help and involvement, their senior care
may fall short of what they need and deserve.
Today, 90 percent of senior Americans prefer to stay at home as
they age. This means families are more directly involved than
ever in their loved ones’ senior care. So, it is more important than
ever that families be involved in the planning stage together. No
single individual can adequately handle the responsibilities of
caregiving alone, certainly not on top of other work, family and
community responsibilities.
In most families, there is usually one sibling who, based on
proximity to the aging parent, becomes the chief caregiver.
Deciding who that person will be is a good topic for the first
conversation with aging parents. Parents, of course, need to be
involved in every step of the decisionmaking process, so they
can maintain as much control of their lives as possible. This
cannot be stressed enough as the success of working through
issues with seniors relies heavily on their involvement in all
areas.
But no matter who is the chief caregiver, all siblings need to share
the responsibility in some way. This could involve home
maintenance, managing bill paying and finances, or taking care of
insurance and medical claim issues.
Also, do not forget the importance of frequent visitation. As you
brighten your parents’ day, you can monitor their health and
mental status and share concerns you have with their professional
caregiver. You may find that their elder care plan needs to be
modified to address changing circumstances.
What Should I Consider?
In choosing the most appropriate care for a senior loved one,
there are a number of decisions to make and questions to ask.
• What is the safest, most comfortable, most appropriate care
option for my parent?
• Is a family member nearby who can be of assistance at a
moment’s notice?
• What types of help does my parent need — for instance,
bathing, eating, transportation, etc.?
• How do my parent’s religious affiliation and other personal
preferences influence the type of care we choose?
To help find the senior care solution most appropriate for your
parents, you may consider having their physician conduct an
evaluation. Another option would be to consult with an in home
services company to provide a free home assessment to better
understand your options.
You may also consider options that match your parent's unique
traits and temperament. For instance, is your parent typically a
thinker or a person who loves to socialize? Thinkers desire space
and privacy. They prefer independence, reading and working
quietly alone. On the other hand, a person who loves to socialize
are energized by people. They enjoy interactions with others and
become lonely without regular interaction.
Also consider your parents past living experiences. Are they
accustomed to owning a home where they have acquired many
valued items? If so, they may find it difficult to leave. Or, are
they accustomed to an apartment or condo? This setting may
make it easier to adjust to smaller living areas with others nearby.
Choosing the best senior care option is a difficult decision.
Involving family members helps ensure that you consider all
factors and choose the best possible solution for your loved one.
