A 2009 report released by the National Alliance for Caregiving, "Caregiving in the U.S.," estimates that 48.9 million Americans now serve as part-time or full-time unpaid caregivers to adult members of their families. If you are caring for an elderly father, or expect to do so in the future, you can take some steps to ensure a smoother transition to caregiving.
Step 1
Learn as much as possible about the role of a parent's caregiver. "Care for the Family Caregiver: A Place to Start" is a free booklet by Emblem Health and the National Alliance for Caregiving that discusses in detail what becoming a caregiver entails.
Step 2
Evaluate your elderly father's condition to determine what level of care he may eventually need. "Ten Warning Signs," a checklist created by the Eldercare Locator project of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, describes signals that your elderly father may need more contact with you. Symptoms include forgetting to eat, neglecting personal hygiene, withdrawing from social activities, mishandling finances and failure to pay bills.
Step 3
Sit down with your father and discuss the issues you have noticed. Suggest that your father see his physician and get a thorough checkup, as it is possible that your father's problems may respond to therapy and medication. Volunteer to go with him to his checkup and take notes on his doctor's recommendations.
Step 4
Arrange a meeting with your father and your siblings or other involved relatives, and explain the problems that you perceive with his health. Ask for his opinions about what type of help he might need. He may want to be visited more often, or he may need to move in with you or one of your siblings.
Step 5
Set up regular family discussions with your siblings and other relatives about the best ways to care for your father. If all of you live too far apart for an in-person meeting, arrange a phone conference call using a free conference call service, or meet on your computers using a free Internet communications service such as Skype. Send your siblings an email before each discussion, listing the medical, legal and financial issues that need to be addressed.
Step 6
Consult a lawyer about becoming your father's legal guardian, if his memory deteriorates. The Alzheimer's Association has published a booklet, "Legal Questions for Eldercare Issues," that describes many of the legal documents you may need to obtain for your father, ranging from a living will to a health care power of attorney.
Step 7
Take good care of your own physical and mental health. Caregiving responsibilities can range from a few extra visits to your father each year to bringing him to live with you and managing his medical conditions. One way to keep yourself in good shape is to join an online caregivers support group, such as the Community Activity support group on Agingcare.com, where you can exchange insights and receive advice from other caregivers.
References
- National Family Caregivers Association: Caregiving Statistics
- Agingcare.com: Elderly Caregiver Support
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Eldercare Locator: Fact Sheets and Booklets
- Alzheimer's Association: Legal Plans: Assisting the Person With Dementia
- National Alliance for Caregiving: Care for the Family Caregiver
