The COVID-19 virus played havoc on seniors from almost every part of the world. This has caused many families to think about the future for the elderly in their family. Many are worried about providing proper care for their loved ones and are skeptical about putting them in long care homes. This is a big decision that has to be made as to what will be best for these seniors.
Making the Decision
If the decision is made to keep them home and these seniors are dealing with some health issues then it makes it all the more important to decide whether the decision to keep them home is the right one. If this is what it comes down to then it means relying on as many resources as possible. This not only includes those within the home but outside as well.
Assessing The Needs
In order to line up the proper care for these individuals, it means assessing their needs. This may take some professional help to determine this. As people age their bodies begin to deteroriate and they are not able to manage independently. To what level this is taking place has to be determined. Health care professionals can carry out physical and mental assessments to determine this.
Creating A Plan
Once the assessment has determined what issues need to be attended to, its time to develop a plan. A list has to be created as to what resources are available. This should include family members who can dedicate time to coming to the house to help care for these seniors. All of the care for them cannot be left on one person. If this takes place then there is a risk for caregiver burnout.
Once the in family resources have been determined that what has not been looked after has to be addressed. This means looking at outside resources. Most communities have several of these but it takes a little time to resource them. Often there is a waiting list as well to get into some of the available programs.
Some of the resources that should be checked out are:
Adult Day Programs:
Many communites have day programs that seniors can be taken to. These may be daily but in most cases, seniors will go once or twice a week. While there they get to enjoy different activities and it is a great way for them to be able to continue socializing.
Hiring Part Time Caregivers:
Another option is to hire outside care. There are trained individuals that can come into the home on a scheduled basis to give the full time caregiver some free time. This is critically important if there are no family members that can take on this role.
Meals On Wheels:
Just the constant preparation of meals can be time-consuming. Having a meal delivered in a few times a week for the seniors can give the rest of the family a break from having to do this.
The Right Tools and Equipment
Investments should be made into the right tools and equipment that will help taking care of the seniors who have disabilities. For example, a proper chair lift can be a valuable resource.
Looking After The Finances
Many caregivers don’t realize that they be eligible for some tax breaks as a caregiver. If this is you then why not contact me to assist you with your tax filing. This way you are going to be sure to get everything that you are eligible for when it comes to your taxes.
