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Boomers Caring
for Aging Parents
As your parents age,
it may be necessary for you to begin to assume the role of
caregiver. It becomes more important to pay attention to what
they are and are not capable of taking care of on their own.
Through frequent visits, you can begin to assess the home
situation, and begin to assume the role of caregiver where
necessary.
Speak to your parents
openly when possible about the role you will be assuming, and
how you will be helping them to take care of their finances,
equipping their home for safety, and helping them with their
day-to-day routines. Beginning to assume the role of caregiver
for your aging parents can be a difficult process, but clear
communication along the way can help. Organization and diplomacy
will go a long way towards a smooth transition.
As you begin assuming
a helping role in your parents’ lives, it is important to gather
necessary information. Designate a binder to store medical and
personal information for the household. If you aren’t living
with your parents, you may want two identical binders, so you
have one copy in their home and one copy to keep with you. In
each binder, store important information such as doctor’s names
and contact information, pharmacy contact information, lists of
medications and dosages, insurance policy information, etc.
This information will come in handy when you are scheduling
appointments and speaking with professionals.
You will also want to
equip your parents’ home for safety. Many volunteer agencies
will provide a safety check of your home, or you can do this on
your own. Install safety equipment such as bathroom grab bars.
Switch out lamps for higher watt light bulbs to aid visibility.
Anchor rugs and cords to avoid falls. Consider widening doorways
if a walker or wheelchair is used in the home. Take the time to
place a list of emergency phone numbers near each phone, with
numbers listed in a large bold font. These precautions will
extend the amount of time your parents can live in their home
independently. The goal is to make the home as safe and
accident-proof as possible. Be sure to ask your parents for
their input throughout this process – they know what areas of
the home they struggle to get around in.
If your parents’
mental health begins to decline, you may want to consider
becoming their power of attorney. This would allow you to make
financial decisions for them, and help you to better manage
their assets. Even if you are not a power of attorney, sit down
with your parents and discuss financial paperwork, wills, and
what types of accounts they have. Be sure that all this
information is written down in a central location. If you are
going to help them with financial activities, or if you will
need to manage their finances if they become disabled, you will
need access to this information. Be aware that this will be a
difficult conversation to have, as your mother or father will
not want to admit that they are losing focus and cannot do
activities that they were once capable of. Reassure them that
you merely want to help them, and are not trying to take over
their life.
Throughout this
process, pay attention to your parents’ desires and fears. Be
sure to validate the way they are feeling, but help them to
understand that you are helping them to stay in their own home
by acting as their caregiver. Honor their wishes when possible,
and when it is impossible, treat them with respect. Taking time
to explain why you are doing things the way you are will help a
great deal when you are caring for your aging parents. Remember,
they are used to caring for you, so this is a difficult
transition for them as well.
Marcia Chumbley is a
work
at home mom and grandmother in Minnesota. She
is the owner of a
Christian Work From Home Moms
website
at
Faithful Grannies
http://www.faithfulgrannies.com
bringing generations of
Christian Work From Home Moms,
Grandmothers, Parents, Boomers and Families together
while providing resources, inspiration and affordable
advertising while balancing the work at home experience. She
holds a degree in Business and is a CMOM.
Article Source
CWAHGrandparents.com
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