Any caregiver you or your loved one chooses to take care of your aging parent becomes part of a team that should collaborate to provide the best care possible. As your parents age, they may need a caregiver if they choose to remain in their home. If you are faced with choosing in-home care for your parents, here are some things to keep in mind when collaborating with their caregiver.
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Decide on a Budget
An experienced caregiver can be a great resource for you in determining which modifications to make or which devices to purchase to help your parents remain at home. You will have to budget for any modifications or improvements you make to your parents’ home, such as accessible bathtubs, handrails, or wheelchair ramps. Motorized scooter costs and stair lift prices can vary greatly depending on the options you choose. In addition, the cost of a caregiver is something that insurance may not cover, so you will have to make sure there is money to pay for their services.
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Determine Your Parents’ Needs
As you begin to work with your parents’ caregiver, it is important to discuss what your parents’ needs are and determine how the caregiver can meet those needs. If your parents have difficulty with meal preparation, personal hygiene or household chores, a caregiver can help them with those challenges. If they have difficulty driving, their caregiver may help with transportation or run errands for them. If they need assistance remembering medication, a caregiver can help with that too.
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Develop a Care Plan
Once you have determined your parents’ needs, you should collaborate with their caregiver to develop a care plan that specifically outlines how their caregiver will assist them. This type of detailed plan can help establish boundaries and may reduce stressful situations and eliminate any confusion that could occur if caregivers are not sure what their exact roles should be.
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Be Flexible
While caregivers are paid employees, they are also an important part of your parents’ lives. Caregivers become partners with your parents as they work to remain independent, and they become partners with you in helping care for your parents. It is important to show them how much you value them for what they do by being flexible with them. You can do this by considering any of their personal or family commitments as you set a work schedule on which you can all agree. Being flexible and respecting their commitments can encourage a positive relationship with them.
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Communicate Openly
One way to encourage a relationship built on trust and respect is to keep the lines of communication open among your parents, their caregiver, and you. This ensures that the care plan is being followed and that the caregiver is comfortable coming to you with any concerns or suggestions that may help your parents.
Caregivers can be valuable resources for helping your parents stay in their homes and for helping you plan their care. Through respect, flexibility, and open communication, you can build an effective collaborative relationship with their caregiver, which will ensure the happiness and well-being of your parent(s) as they age.
About the Author: Joseph Jones has been writing senior care and aging-related articles for years. He got his start while writing for a personal blog before he was offered to work at California Mobility in 2018 as the Content Marketing Manager, creating highly informative guides and health awareness articles for aging adults. He’s currently contributing to a variety of blogs in the senior health industry in hopes to spread information about taking care of seniors and what to expect in the aging process.
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