How to Help Aging Parents

In many families, this can put a stress on the time and energy left for one’s own family. But there are ways to reorganize your life, and ways to help your parents and still maintain your own life.

FINDING THE TIME

The time you devote to your aging relative depends on their situation. Some may be in a nursing home, some may be in assisted living, others are still in their own home, but unable to care for daily tasks such as cooking meals or maintaining the yard.

The first thing you will need to do is make a list of everything that needs to be done for the elder. If he/she is on his own home, then the tasks are much the same as those in your house. If they are living with you, there are still tasks, such as doctor visits or laundry, that will need to be done in addition to your own. Even if they are living in a nursing home, there are still some things you will be responsible for.

CONSOLIDATE TASKS

Once you know what needs to be done, see if there are any tasks that can be consolidated with your own.

• Consolidate banking accounts to one bank so you only have to make one trip
• Set up automatic bill-paying with utilities, insurance companies, etc., or ask to have the due dates the same as yours so you are only writing out bills once.
• Coordinate refills at the pharmacy with the days you pick up your own
• Shop at the same grocery store as the elder and drop off the groceries on your way home. If your relative doesn’t live near you, consider setting up a grocery delivery system. It costs a bit more, but saves more in time.
• Schedule appointments for the hairdresser, dentist, etc. at the same time. Of course, one of you may have to switch the salon you visit, but it’s worth saving the extra trip.
• Prepare an extra serving or two while preparing your own meals and freeze or store for them. · Hire a housekeeper for yourself or the elder

COLLECT INFORMATION

As the primary caregiver, you will need to know all the personal information necessary to care for that person. You will also need to know this in case of an emergency. Make a list of the following and keep it handy:

• Name and phone number of physician, pharmacist, and other medical caregivers
• Names and doses of prescription meds, and over the counter medications
• Medical insurance information
• Life insurance information
• Names and phone numbers of friends and other relatives of the elder
• Parish the elder belongs to
• Extra set of keys to the person’s home or apartment
• Extra key to safe deposit box or in-home safe
• Name and phone number of close neighbor
• Name of bank and bank account number—have yourself put on the account
• Name and phone number of financial advisor
• Name and phone number of lawyer
• List of all the bank, savings, investment accounts
• List of all insurance policies

ORGANIZATIONS/BUSINESSES TO HELP YOU  

• Meals on Wheels—www.mowaa.org
• Maid service
• City/village transportation
• In-home health care—www.n4a.org
• Personal assistant or virtual assistant
• Adult day care
• Geriatric care manager—www.caremanager.com
• Department of Home and Health Services--www.hhs.gov/aging/index.shtml
• Family Caregiver Alliance—www.caregiver.org
• National Family Caregiver’s Association—www.thefamilycaregiver.org
• National Institute On Aging--www.nia.nih.gov

REMEMBER YOURSELF

You can get so involved in caring for an elder person, that you may lose touch with your own family. Always remember to take care of yourself also. If you aren’t healthy or emotionally balanced, everyone around you will feel the effects.

• Hold family meetings to discuss and resolve issues
• Seek counseling for depression, grief or stress as necessary
• Locate a support group in your area to help you through the process and provide resources

No one wants to be suddenly thrust into the position of caregiver. But life doesn’t always go as planned, so it is better to be prepared, than to have to take care of all this in an emergency. The better prepared you are, the easier the tasks will be, and the more free time you will have for yourself.

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