Finding ways to simplify caregiving helps everyone involved in your parent’s care, not just you as the primary caregiver. While it does help make more time for yourself, it also means fewer obstacles in your loved one’s care and better understanding from others who may be involved.
Updated January 5, 2023
How Do You Start Caring For Elderly Parents?
Family caregivers are resilient, flexible, and no strangers to obstacles. But when caring for elderly parents, you’ve likely encountered your share of road bumps. Some might arise from your routine caregiving responsibilities, while others might be related to work, family, or finances.
Some obstacles related to caring for elderly parents are minor. But others can make it challenging to take a break so you can rest and recharge. Eventually, you may find yourself stuck in a cycle of gerbil wheel caregiving, increasing your risk of caregiver burnout.
Unfortunately, only some have the option of taking a respite break. But even if you can’t completely step away from caring for elderly parents, you can ease your burden by streamlining some of your responsibilities.
Finding ways to simplify caregiving helps everyone involved in your parent’s care, not just you as the primary caregiver. While it does help make more time for yourself, it also means fewer obstacles in your loved one’s care and better understanding from others who may be involved.
The question is, how do you do that?
Here’s how to make caring for elderly parents a little easier.
7 Tips For Caring For Elderly Parents
1. Identify Their Care Needs
Monitoring your aging parents’ physical and cognitive ability to live independently is vital. For example, does your mom stay on top of housework, hygiene, and other tasks but consistently forgets to pay bills?
Additionally, track your parents’ mobility and ability to get around. Is it time to talk to your parents about driving? Do they have a close friends circle or social outlets?
If you are a long-distance caregiver, consider finding someone who can routinely check on your parents at home. Sometimes, elders may seem fine over the phone, but their living situation may tell a different story.
2. Assess Home Safety
You shouldn’t have to be around your loved one 24/7 to ensure their safety at home. There are many home modifications for seniors, devices, and apps to promote senior safety, independence, and quality of life. These resources will secure your aging parent’s wellbeing (especially if they live alone) and your peace of mind.
3. Build A Support Network For Yourself
Utilizing programs or services for caregivers and seniors is a big step toward streamlining your caregiving responsibilities. Eldercare.gov is an excellent resource from the federal government that offers a catalog of local services.
Build a support network for yourself and your loved one by turning to a caregiving agency, other relatives, medical professionals, and organizations like Meals On Wheels. Seeking help from a geriatric care manager is another valuable resource.
Consider hiring a professional caregiver to assist with certain duties, especially if your parent has specific medical needs. A qualified caregiver can also help with transportation, meal preparation, activities of daily living, and other tasks throughout the week. This support will go a long way to help you balance other responsibilities.
4. Decide If Moving Is Necessary
Moving is one of the most challenging events for elders and their families. But sometimes, aging in place isn’t an option. For example, your parent may have special needs, a medical condition, or something else keeping them from living independently.
Moving to an assisted living or nursing home is the last thing they, you, or anyone else want. So instead, you could consider moving your loved one into your home.
Of course, moving is one of the most challenging events for elders and their families. So you and your family must determine if your home is age-friendly and if everyone is prepared to manage caregiving responsibilities full-time.
5. Take Advantage Of Your Time Together
You might feel like you need to spend more time with your parents, even if you live in the same city and see them regularly. But you can make the most of your visits. Meet with their friends, neighbors, and medical team to learn more about their day-to-day wellbeing. These insights will help guide you as you determine the next steps in their care.
6. Settle Family Feuds
Caring for elderly parents can often spark or aggravate family conflicts, particularly as people adjust to their new caregiving responsibilities. Family disputes happen, but family caregiving should be a team effort.
Therefore, relatives must put aside their differences for the sake of the loved one. Ease conflict by clearly and respectfully expressing your needs while acknowledging the needs of your loved one and listening to your family as they communicate with you.
7. Find Ways To Meet Their Social Needs
Social isolation and loneliness in seniors are serious problems. Social circles often shrink with age, and physical or cognitive limitations can make it difficult to stay connected with others. Therefore, when caring for elderly parents, supporting their social needs is paramount.
Whether they live with you, in their home, or in a facility, make sure they can easily stay in touch with friends and family or call for help. For example, make sure they know how to use their phone (and can access it easily). Or, if your parents consent, they could wear a medical alert device.
Are You Caring For Elderly Parents?
MeetCaregivers Can Help.
If your aging parent needs a little more care than you can give, or if you need a short respite break, MeetCaregivers can help. Our qualified in-home care workers can assist with various caregiving responsibilities, transportation, and more.
Find a caregiver today or call 1 (888) 541-1136 to learn how we can match your loved one with the perfect caregiver.
Visit the Blog for more resources for seniors and caregivers.
- DailyCaring Editorial Team. (2021, April 28). 7 Steps to Take When Aging Parents Need Help. 7 Steps to Take When Aging Parents Need Help – DailyCaring. Retrieved January 5, 2023, from https://dailycaring.com/7-steps-to-take-when-aging-parents-need-help/
- Parentgiving. (n.d.). Strategies to Simplify Caregiving Responsibilities. Strategies on How to Simplify Caregiving Responsibilities. Retrieved August 17, 2020, from https://tinyurl.com/y43rzfwd