Although many people assume women most often care for elderly parents, an increasing number of men are providing assistance to meet the needs of their aging loved ones. In fact, some studies report nearly 40 percent of family caregivers are men, a large increase over the past decade. While not all men find caregiving difficult, some say the process is easier for women, who may be more experienced in providing support and care for family members. For sons who may be unsure of how to go about caring for a parent at home, here are a few tips that can make helping a loved one transition from independent living to receiving home care an easy and hassle-free task.
Talk to Professionals
Instead of trying to rely only on yourself to care for your parent, it’s important to talk to professionals who have the necessary knowledge and resources. Ask your parent’s doctor for advice on helping your loved one take his or her daily prescriptions, safety measures to implement in the home, and common hazards to avoid. You can also meet with an expert who can help you create a plan for how to provide support for your parent. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and talk to experts to become better equipped for your caregiving duties, especially if your parent has an advanced condition such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.
If your elderly loved one is living with Alzheimer’s and needs help managing the symptoms, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Alzheimer’s care. Richmond seniors can rely on our revolutionary Cognitive Therapeutics Method (CTM), an activities-based program that promotes cognitive health and delays the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. CTM also encourages seniors to engage with others in an enjoyable way and helps them build new routines to look forward to.
Delegate Different Tasks
It can be difficult to attempt to provide care on your own, making it important to hire extra help when it’s needed. Consider hiring a housekeeper to tend to your parent’s home as well as a transportation service that can take your loved one to appointments during the week. You may also be interested in hiring a home caregiver, who can assist with daily activities to ensure safety and comfort for your loved one in your absence.
If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality in-home care, Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
Create a Budget
To prevent draining your finances or mismanaging your parent’s money, you’ll need to create a budget before providing assistance. It’s important to factor in health insurance, groceries, utilities, mortgage or rent, transportation services, and the cost of activities that your loved one may be involved in each month.
If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of at-home care Richmond families can rely on. All of our caregivers are bonded, licensed, and insured, there are no hidden fees, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts. Call Home Care Assistance today at (804) 207-4746 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.