Caring for an Aging Parent

Caring for an aging parent and maneuvering through the murky world of medicine, hospitals, guilt, fear, nursing homes and family strife can be tough business. Care giving descends upon us in all sorts of ways and becoming the “parent of the parent” can be one of the most distressing experiences of a lifetime. It’s the story millions of Americans are facing as the baby boomer generation ages and there are some warning signs to look out for.

• Difficulty concentrating
• Diminished skills
• Mishandled medication
• Loss of appetite
• Memory loss
• Reluctance to socialize

One of the first things you need to determine is what kind of help does a love one need? Are the problems correctable or do new living arrangements need to be made? And most importantly, how do you manage it emotionally, physically and financially while maintaining a life of your own?

First and foremost, take a deep breath. If you sink under the weight of care giving at the onset then it’s an uphill battle for everyone. The next step is to make sure you collect every piece of information available about a senior’s medical history, social security number, insurance, date of birth, names and numbers of doctors, Medicare, and any prescription medication. Call a family meeting and try to get as many people involved from the beginning. Early input will facilitate decision-making down the line and ensure that you are not going at this alone. Consult with everyone - doctors, friends, support groups and gather as much information as possible so that you are always making the most informed decision.

Ultimately you may be forced to make the decision if in-home care or an assisting living facility is needed. It’s a tough choice and one that should not be taken lightly. It’s something that we at Interim Healthcare deal with on a daily basis. Check us out by clicking here to learn more about what goes into making this decision.

Lastly, don’t forget about you. There will be feelings of loss, shock, anger, confusion and depression. Don’t keep pushing them down. You have to deal with them because it’s equally important that you take care of yourself as well.