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Tips for Caregivers
Planning ahead is an important part of
caregiving. Discussing preferences and researching
options in advance of a caregiving need is key to
making a plan that will be successful. If you know
that a loved one will need care sometime soon, keep
a folder with notes and documents that will help you
make decisions quickly when the time arrives. Here
are some tips to get you started:
- Talk openly with family
members and/or your loved one to assess the
current situation. Make a list of the types of
assistance that will be needed. If possible, estimate
the number of hours per day each type of
assistance may be needed.
- Familiarize yourself
with the caregiving resources
available in your community. Start by
locating a senior center or Area Agency on Aging
that serves your neighborhood. Give them a call,
or drop by, to find out what services they can
provide.
- Think about the
long-term situation. Are care needs likely to
increase over time? Consider the different types
of care and how your loved one might move from
one to the next. For instance, it might make
sense to begin with home care and then move to
assisted living as needs increase.
- As part of your plan,
identify friends, neighbors and other relatives
who might help out. Find out what type of
support they are willing to provide, and when
they would be available.
- If home care is a part
of your plan, assess
the safety of the home and plan ahead for
modifications that may be needed, such as a
wheelchair ramp or extra safety features in the
bathroom.
- Discuss your plan with
family physicians, financial advisors, clergy or
any other trusted advisors who may have
suggestions to make.
- Research legal documents that might be
necessary for you to implement the plan, should
your loved one not be able to make decisions on
their own.
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