The keys to bringing family members together to help care for aging loved ones

What are the keys to bringing family members together to help care for aging loved ones?

• Educate
• Communicate
• Participate

The most effective way to protect someone’s best life is to take an intentional, organized, team approach to determining needs and providing care.  When family members are able to objectively put emotions and history on the back burner, a family member of a senior will most certainly receive better care because there will be consensus of what the needs are and what outcome is hoped for. When there is agreement on what the problem of the moment is, the path can be cleared for determining a good solution. It is often easier to agree on what the problem is than to agree on what steps should be taken to address or resolve the problem.

Educate

Each family member in the group should make a conscious effort to educate themselves on “the problem”.  Is it safety risks, financial concerns, medical conditions, or all three?  It’s not a matter of becoming an expert on safety factors for aging adults or an estate planning expert; it’s more about finding out what resources exist to address the problem.  Is technology available to help increase safety (emergency alert button, door/window alarm features, appliance auto shut-offs, cameras, etc.)?  Are there financial assistance resources that your loved one qualifies for (VA benefits, long-term care insurance policies, state/federal programs, etc.) that provide funding for care?  What can you learn about communicating with someone who has dementia, post-operative considerations after a hip fracture, or food requirements for someone taking Parkinson’s medications?

Communicate

Communication among those people who love the aging senior the most can be very difficult, especially because the problem, as well as the person everyone is worried about, is fraught with strong emotions. Putting aside differences of opinion or perspective is vital to making clear, timely, and wise decisions on someone else’s behalf.  At times when emotions are high and the stakes are even higher, the tendency to decrease or eliminate communication is almost undeniable.  Make a very intentional effort to communicate information, details, and updates factually and timely, regardless of the dynamics that exist.

Participate

EVERYONE participates in some way!  There is a tendency for one or two people to “take the lead” and “be in charge” but everyone can’t be the team lead, but everyone MUST participate. It’s important to determine how each individual can contribute to the resolution.  For some it will be physical presence or manual duties, for others it will be contributing financially, or providing respite. It is important that one contribution not be seen as being more important or necessary than another.  The puzzle is not complete with even one missing piece.  The son who comes in from out of town every summer for two weeks so the sister and brother-in-law mom lives with can go on vacation is vital.  The daughter who sets up auto bill pay, direct deposit, and has dad’s mail come to her home is irreplaceable.  The grandson who cuts the grass and rakes the leaves makes a difference.

Visit Senior.One or call 1-888-888-2191 to research options for resources and options for every step of your journey. Senior.One Care Advisors can provide you with valuable information to help you respond to every situation in order to help you and your senior remain in control of the most important choices of life.