What Makes Senior Care Plans Successful?
December 3, 2019
What makes a senior care plan successful? Multiple steps and considerations are key. You can't just rush a plan. You need to weigh the pros and cons and figure out the right balance for your parents and those who will be helping out.
Gather a Team
Don't rely on one person. Gather a team of people who are willing to help out with the care your parents need. Relying on one person can backfire if that person becomes ill or burns out. Turn to family members or close family friends. Create a schedule that pairs the help your parents need with everyone's work schedule and personal obligations.
The one thing you don't want to do is put the burden on certain people. For example, your sister has been a stay-at-home mom for over a decade. She's the first person you think of when it comes to helping your parents. Don't automatically assume she's willing. After caring for her kids, she may be ready to rebuild her career or take a break from being a carer.
Create a Daily, Weekly, and Monthly To-Do List
Create to-do lists for everyone to follow. You're going to have different lists for things that are completed daily, weekly, or monthly. For example, medication reminders and meals would be daily, but grocery shopping could be done weekly. Monthly tasks would be things like doctor's appointments, haircuts, or prescription refills.
Think of all the little things that get easily overlooked. Someone needs to take your parents clothes shopping a few times a year. Dryer vents need to be cleaned at least once a year. Air filters on the heating system must be changed regularly, and those tasks might be too much for your parents now.
Communicate Regularly
Come up with a way to communicate ideas, issues, and appointment results. You need to store these notes for those who live farther away. Several online apps, such as Carely, make this easy to manage. You could also use a free service like Google Drive paired with a chat program like Hangouts or Skype.
People that need to be able to access this information include all family caregivers and professional senior care aides. You might also want to include doctors or physician's assistants who regularly see your mom and dad for health exams.
Let Your Parents Help With Planning
Involve your dad and mom in senior care planning. Let them ask questions and talk to the representatives and caregivers personally.
If you or your loved one is looking for Senior Care in Atherton, CA, please call Familiar Surroundings Home Care.
Santa Clara County: (408) 979-9990
San Mateo County: (650) 353-9777
Santa Cruz County: (831) 480-3990