Today, many people must face the reality that an elderly family member needs care. According to the University of Missouri Extension, approximately 80 percent of the elderly receive care from family members. Most individuals who need to care for an elderly relative already have a full plate of responsibilities. Making a decision on the best care and the best way to provide it is not an easy task for family members of an elderly person.
Step 1
Talk to your elderly family member to understand her wishes for the future. Find out if she has already appointed someone in the family to handle her financial affairs and make medical decisions should she become incapacitated. Ask if she has established advanced health care directives and set up a will. If necessary, schedule an appointment with a lawyer who specializes in elder law. You also need to know if she has set aside funds to pay for long-term care or has financial assets.
Step 2
Learn as much as possible about your loved one's health conditions and the prognosis. Some elderly family members simply become feebler and need light assistance with activities of daily living. Others with debilitating illnesses, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, go through a slow, gradual decline, ending in complete helplessness.
Step 3
Schedule a family meeting to discuss the situation. Share your concerns about the needs of your elderly loved one. Explain what you have learned from talking to him and what you know about his health. Gather input from the others to learn how they can help. Some may be in a position to provide direct assistance while others may only be able to help indirectly.
Step 4
Decide if it is best for your elderly family member to remain in her own home. Most aging individuals prefer to stay in their own home for as long as possible. Consider programs that deliver meals to the elderly or personal emergency response systems so she can receive immediate help if needed. You may also need to set up a schedule for family members to check up on her or hire a caregiver to provide assistance in the home.
Step 5
Evaluate available options if it is not feasible for your elderly loved one to stay in his home. Maybe a family member would be able to move him into her home to provide care. If not, you need to consider assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Compare the cost of care to your family member's available funds. You and the rest of your family must decide how to divide any additional care costs.
Tips and Warnings
- Make sure a responsible family member has a copy of your elderly family member's Medicare and supplemental insurance cards, a list of all medications and knows her complete medical history.
Member Comments