There are several issues to consider when you decide to provide quality care for your parents when you are always busy. Taking care of the elderly can be a challenge since you have to address tons of stuff. Most caregivers are burdened with family responsibilities, such as taking care of kids, and you still have to tend to your job. You shouldn’t be overwhelmed by guilt, but instead, there are simple steps that you can take that will make life easier for you and your aging parents. By following these guidelines, you will reduce stress and the caregiving burden.
Assign the Caregiving Responsibility to other Parties
Given that you are occupied all the time, it would be wise to take caregiving responsibility to family members. If you have siblings, you can seek their support, but you might be the only child who offers to provide care in some cases. In such a situation, several solutions are at your disposal.
If you have kids, you should remember that grandparents love spending time with their grandkids. Take advantage of the situation and assign caregiving duties to your kids when you are away. Also, you can seek external care for the elderly. You can hire a caregiver who will stay at home and tend to your parent’s needs or enroll your parents in an elderly care facility.
Regularly Monitor Your Parents Health Situation
Taking care of the elderly doesn’t necessarily require your physical presence. There are simple habits such as making calls, assessing how they speak, and installing medical alert systems that will notify you when your parent falls ill, or their health situation deteriorates. Health care experts at CPOE.org often advise caregivers to review some of the best medical alert systems before purchasing one. Your parents won’t go unattended in an emergency since the design will alert you and health care providers. Besides, most elderly parents have Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, hypertension, diabetes, among other health conditions, and your parents would need constant surveillance to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Consider their Nutritional Needs
Considering that you will be away most of the time, chances are high that your parents might go unattended, and in some cases, they might miss meals. Your elderly parents might lack the energy to prepare their meals or lack the strength to buy food at the local store. With this in mind, the chances are high that they might go for days without a meal or opt to take junk foods that lack nutritional value. You know how disastrous this can be; therefore, request friends or family members to run errands on your parent’s behalf. If you have hired a caregiver, give them strict instructions on your parent’s dietary restrictions, and ensure they offer your parents healthy meals.
Provide Transport
It would help if hired a chauffeur who would take your parents around town. Your parents will probably be bored at home, and since they can’t drive themselves around the neighborhood, it’s your responsibility to create a driving plan. Besides, in the event of a medical emergency, there should be someone on standby who will rush your parents to the closest medical facility.
Learn Better Ways to Take Care of the Elderly
It’s essential to understand your elderly parent’s needs since there are several pieces to the puzzle that you need to attend to. You might be overwhelmed by the responsibilities, and in some cases, you might feel helpless. By learning different strategies to take care of your parents remotely, you will handle your emotions, and in the process, you will provide quality care. Find online resources that speak about ways to provide affordable and quality care. Also, learn the simple solutions to common problems facing the elderly, then implement whatever you have learned.
Ensure that your Parents are Constantly Engaged
Ensure that your parents participate in recreational events and religious activities that they enjoyed in the past. Make an effort to enroll your parents in a church or recreational events and instruct your caregiver to take your parents to the events. Of course, when they need their time to rest, make sure to accommodate.
Everyone grows old, and although you have a packed schedule, you should know that you have to take care of your parents. You might lack the knowledge to understand how much aging has taken a toll on your parent’s lives, but generally, you should make an effort to ensure that they are in perfect health. By applying these tips and tricks, the chances are high that your old folks will live a long and happy life.