Caring for elderly parents can be a challenge, particularly if you don't live close to your parents. Even if you do live nearby, you may not be aware of the challenges your parents face in performing everyday tasks. Understanding the type of help your parents need, whether it is assistance paying bills or help managing medical conditions, can help you develop an appropriate care plan.
Identifiying Problem Areas
Asking your parents what type of help they need is the most direct way to determine what assistance is required. As your parents age, they may have trouble walking, maintaining their home or finding transportation for appointments and shopping. Organizing finances and paying bills may also be a problem, particularly if a parent suffers from dementia. Medical conditions may make it more difficult to carry out everyday tasks.
Considerations
Elderly people may be reluctant to discuss the assistance they need and may assure you that they can handle their own affairs. Spending a day or more with your aging parents can help you determine if this is true and will allow you to identify problem areas. The National Institute on Aging recommends looking for possible hazards in the home, such as loose rugs, unsafe clutter and poor lighting. Fixing unsafe areas can help reduce the risk that your parents will be injured in their home.
Home Life
If your parents are still able to live in their own home, there are some things you can do to ensure that basic tasks are being done. If can be difficult for elderly people to handle housecleaning and other daily tasks. Arranging for a cleaning service or cleaning your parents' home yourself can help ensure that your parents are living in a clean environment. If your parents can no longer cook or you don't feel it is safe for your parents to cook, investigate other options. The National Institute on Aging suggests signing up for Meals on Wheels or investigating meal programs at churches, synagogues or senior centers.
Adult Daycare
If you worry about your parents spending the day alone when you are at work, you may want to consider an adult daycare program. HelpGuide.org reports that adult daycare may be an option if your parents are isolated, can't safely be left at home alone or can no longer structure daily activities. Adult daycare provides meals, socialization with other elderly people and activities in a safe, supervised environment.
Preparing a Power of Attorney
Preparing a durable power of attorney allows you to make financial and legal decisions for your parents when they are no longer able to make these types of decisions. AgingCare.com recommends preparing a power of attorney long before there are any problems, because your parents must be of sound mind when they sign the durable power of attorney. Your lawyer can write the power of attorney so that you are immediately responsible for your parents' legal and financial decisions or can indicate that you will only assume these duties when your parents become incapacitated.
