1. Avoiding the discussion of alternative living arrangements for your parents.
Being proactive here is so important. When you have these discussions early and often you can be much less confrontational and it will be so much easier for everyone. Having these conversations earlier rather than later, you are able to approach them in a more relaxed, low-key manner.
If you wait until after Mom has fallen and broken her hip, the pressure is on and the emotions are high. At that point you are pressed for time to find answers quickly.
2. Not having a clear picture of your parents’ finances.
Know whether or not they have a long term care policy. If so, you should know where it is and make sure it’s easily accessible. Also, take some time to read through it so you know what it does and does not cover.
If there is no insurance, are there other financial resources? Would it behoove your parents to talk to an attorney about Medicaid eligibility and spend down rules? If one of your parents is a Veteran they may be eligible to have certain services covered.
3. Immediately thinking that a nursing home is the only option when one, or both, of your parents’ health starts failing.
These days there are a myriad of choices and options. If one is adamant about staying in his or her own home, there is a good chance they can have care there until they pass.
There are also ways to be very creative about combining several modalities of care. For instance, a family might have their father go to adult day care several times a week during the day, then have a caregiver stay over nights and family members supplement the other times if needed. The possibilities are endless to customize a plan that is just right for your situation.
4. Trying to find help at the last minute
When Mom is scheduled to come home from the hospital tomorrow, there are few things more stressful than having to start coming up with a plan of care. In situations like that when there is so much stress, it’s nearly impossible to make a good, rational decision in such a short period of time.
My advice is to do your homework sooner rather than later. It’s never too early to start to search out a few agencies or facilities, find ones you are comfortable with and start building a relationship with them. You can even arrange a visit for you and/or your parents to a facility or have someone come to your home for an assessment. This way, if an emergency occurs, you’ll be reaching out to people you are comfortable with and are familiar with your loved one and their situation.
5. Only taking cost into consideration when selecting care providers
This can go both ways. There are very expensive nursing home facilities that have very poor track records of care. Don’t be swayed by fancy brochures, videos or tours. Try and talk to some of the actual residents and their loved ones.
As for home care, be very careful about choosing the “cheapest” hourly rate. Remember that good caregivers demand to be paid more. Good homecare agencies cannot offer the best caregivers AND be the cheapest. Also ask to meet and approve of any caregiver before they start care.
Theanna Zika started St. Louis senior home care company, Heavenly Helpers, in 2004. She shares tips, strategies and advice about caring for seniors that she has learned over the years on the blog at her company’s website. The site also features a helpful list of St. Louis senior resources for seniors and their loved ones in the St. Louis Metro area.
Related Websites -
Basic Home Repair: Home Improvement DVD The Basic Home Repair: Home Improvement DVD is designed to provide complete details and lessons on home repair topics including energy conservation, home security, replacing a faucet, sweating copper pipes, replacing toilets, unclogging drain clogs, replacing the caulk on a tub, replacing lighting fixtures, repairing broken lamps, replacing tiles that...... - Special Needs Kids: Tips for Choosing a Pediatric Home Care Agency
It is a stressful time for parents of a child with special needs when the child has been ill, hospitalized, or finally coming home for the very first time. The nurse case manager may be a wealth of information but it can also be very overwhelming for parents. Here are...... - Review: Basic Home Repair: Home Improvement DVD
The Basic Home Repair: Home Improvement DVD is designed to provide complete details and lessons on home repair topics including energy conservation, home security, replacing a faucet, sweating copper pipes, replacing toilets, unclogging drain clogs, replacing the caulk on a tub, replacing lighting fixtures, repairing broken lamps, replacing tiles that...... - Financing for elderly care
The cost of getting older is one of the greatest concerns that comes with ageing. It can be a worrying factor for many people, especially if you don’t have any capital or savings and are living on benefits. One possibility for planning for the future cost of care homes is...... -
Learning How to Finance Your Future Most of us think about retirement and panic. It can be tough trying to figure out how we’re going to survive and plan for our futures when we’re just trying to make ends meet right now. If you’re strapped for cash at the end of every month, chances are you......