Hard Times And 3 Ways A Caregiver Can Make it Easier in Philadelphia
Posted by PHC | Blog
Many people postpone the conversation for personal home care with their elderly parents and relatives. But by the time the need arises it becomes apparent that a lot of important questions were not discussed. Major life transitions, such as returning home from the hospital and having to live with a personal care assistant can be stressful and bring up mixed feelings.
These conversations aren’t always easy, but the best way to prepare your elderly parents for major transitions is to take some time for discussing how a caregiver can make things easier for them. Seniors fear loss of independence, and may be reluctant to give up on certain freedoms such as driving and shopping for themselves. However, it’s important to let them known that a personal home caregiver is an important ally in keeping their lifestyle as unchanged as possible.
There are different types of family caregiver situations. You may be looking for personal home care for an aging parent or a handicapped spouse. Or perhaps you need assistance to care for a child with a physical or mental illness. Regardless of your particular circumstances, providing care is more than a profession – it’s an act of kindness, love, and loyalty. With the right help and support, you can make the right choice for your loved one and there are various ways your caregiver can make the transition as easy as possible.
Learn as much as you can: It’s natural that when first faced with a situation that is unfamiliar to you – things feel overwhelming. A lot of families stress over all the information they need to go through and put in order once a loved one has been diagnosed with a debilitating illness, suffers a life-changing injury or the inevitable effect of aging. When you first start approaching caregivers, you need to have, at least, a basic understanding of the medical condition of the person you’re seeking help for. You can then carry out several interviews to see if prospective caregivers understand and have experience dealing with that particular situation. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to learn what they feel confident handling as just like every other relationship – honesty is very important between a caregiver and the family they are assisting.
Encourage Their Independence: A personal caregiver is well aware of the limits of the person they are assisting. Sometimes, even more so than family members. Often, in an attempt to restore things back to normal, it is not uncommon to expect more of their loved ones than they’re capable of. While caregivers don’t mean to do everything for your family members, you need to step back and let them carry out all daily activities that they think are necessary as part of their job.
Offer support to the caregiver as well as your family member: Part of making the transition easier is having a support system. Family members should make an effort to stay connected; keep in touch with their loved one, call up and check on them as often as possible. Remember that you’re working towards the same goal as the personal home caregiver and you can support each other to ease the adjustment for your relative. Ask them how you can be of help and what are suitable activities you can do with your loved one. While things won’t be able go back to the way they used to be, your caregiver will offer advice on ways to make life easier and more enjoyable in these new circumstances.
Even though the transition into assisted home living can be tough, the outlook is positive. With the right kind of help and support, people get used to their new life. Just having the right mindset and being prepared for what’s to come can make a big difference. This is a big change for everyone involved and placing your trust in a professional is the best thing you can do. A personal home caregiver can ensure the needs of your family member are met and give you peace of mind in knowing you’re doing the right thing.