One of the hardest things you will have to deal with in life is watching the strongest member of your family grow old. Over time, they will lose the ability to do things the way they used to, and when things become too difficult for them, a decision must be made about whether to hire an in-home caregiver for an elderly person. . a friendly hand.
The whole situation can be a minefield for a family because they know they feel as if they are giving up on their loved one. Even more devastating is that the older member of the family in question may grasp the idea that they are not what they used to be and now they need help. This could lead them to feel sad about losing their faculties or even angry that their family has chosen to bring in a stranger to embarrass them at all times. There are no winners in this situation. So what’s a family to do?
Well, for starters, it’s important for a family to get together and talk things over. Be sure to include the older family member who needs help, as it is very important to have their opinion. When you are all together, take turns talking about how things have changed. Don’t be afraid to mention incidents you’ve noticed that worry you about your older relative. Make sure your discussions are organized and stay on topic. The last thing you want to do is introduce confusion.
Next, discuss what options there are for family members to pitch in and be the home health care “Dream Team” by doing it all themselves with no outside help. Review each other’s work schedules, highlight times when you can change other appointments and commitments, and decide how each family member’s free time can be used by taking another “shift” to help. Ask your older family member if there is anything else to worry about for health care. This can include trips to the grocery store, running to the post office, and if they have pets, making sure all appointments are kept with the vet. Be sure to find out who is bringing all parties to church.
It never hurts to start thinking about the cars you drive and how well equipped they are in case you need to transport your family member. Trucks can be a bit too tall, while two-door cars make getting in and out really difficult. You may have to do some kind of co-opting of certain carpools, but if it’s feasible, then make it happen.
Finally, as you discuss hiring an in-home caregiver for your older relative, look at each other in silence and ask yourself how long you think you’ll be able to maintain this kind of lifestyle. No one wants to say it, and no one wants to think it, but you know the answer. How do you determine if an in-home caregiver is right for your family’s situation? You will know when the time is right.
