Getting your aging parent to accept care could be difficult, and asking others to help with the care plan can be another challenge. Regardless, you need as much help as possible so you can have free time to practice self-care. Below are some tips you can use when dividing up caregiving responsibilities with family members, close friends, and professional caregivers.
Assign Roles
Most family caregivers have little experience and learn as they go. When sharing responsibilities, you should assign tasks based on each person’s strengths for better results and fewer errors. Have discussions with all your parent’s caregivers to learn who is comfortable with what and the times of the day everyone can help out. Keep in mind some tasks are more complicated than others, making it impossible to always divide duties evenly. For example, a family caregiver who feeds and grooms your loved one with dementia is taking on more responsibility than someone who picks up prescriptions or cuts the grass once a month.
If you need help providing high-quality care for your parent, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Families looking for top-rated elder care providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
Use Professional Respite Care Services
Respite care is a popular option families use when dividing caregiver responsibilities. A professional caregiver can come into the home when you and your siblings are away, ensuring your loved one’s safety and health remain a top priority. Respite caregivers are trained and familiar with most aspects of caregiving, especially the tasks you and your family may be uncomfortable performing, such as bathing your loved one. Therefore, you should share those responsibilities with a professional and take on jobs you’re more comfortable with and have the knowledge to handle.
Lincoln respite care professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, respite care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.
Communicate
Organization is one of the many skills you, your family, friends, and professional caregivers who come into your loved one’s home need to possess. When there’s tension or miscommunication, tasks could be mishandled or skipped entirely, putting your loved one’s health at risk. Everyone should have a copy of his or her duties and a schedule. Using an online calendar would help because it allows family members to switch responsibilities in an emergency. This tool not only increases productivity, but it’s also accessible from various devices, and everyone can set up alerts on their phones that prevent them from missing your loved one’s doctor appointments, social events, or mealtimes.
Be Flexible
Even with adequate planning, unforeseen issues could arise. Your sister may get a new job that comes with a different schedule, or your brother could become ill and need to take time off from work and caregiver-related tasks. Your parent’s needs could also change, and he or she may rely on you and your family for more help than before. Remaining flexible and developing a contingency plan allows your loved one to continue receiving high-quality care.
One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide in-home care. Lincoln families can turn to Home Care Assistance for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour live-in care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties. For compassionate, reliable in-home care, trust the experienced professionals from Home Care Assistance. Reach out to one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.