This article discusses how to prepare for the time when an elderly loved one no longer can live independently. This caregiving responsibility can be stressful, especially if the caregivers are not prepared for this responsibility.
Everyone would like to live independently until the day they die. Unfortunately, as people age, they often become physically frail and suffer declines in cognitive functions, hearing and sight. They also might develop diseases of old age.
As a result, they often lose their ability to live independently. They might, for example, lose their ability to safely drive automobiles. In time, they might need many medications that they eventually are not able to take correctly. Sooner or later, they might need assistance with activities such as managing money, shopping, housekeeping, preparing meals, dressing, bathing, eating, and attending church.
To prepare for caregiving responsibilities, potential caregivers need to ask and answer many questions. The specific questions that apply will depend upon the age and health of the elderly loved one. What family members and friends, for example, will be involved in the caregiving? What caregiving role will each of these caregivers fulfill? How open and ready is the elderly loved one to discussing his or her care? Does the family have enough financial resources to employ professional caregivers or to obtain long term care insurance? What local resources are available for senior citizens? What policies of the caretakers’ workplaces will support the caregivers? What assisted living residences or skilled nursing care residences are available locally? Does the elderly loved one require a personal emergency response system device?
Lisa Goich elegantly captured the essence of caregiving when she said, “The day the roles reverse is foreign. It’s a clumsy dance of love and responsibility, not wanting to cross any lines of respect. It’s honoring this person who gave their life to you — not to mention literally gave you life — and taking their fragile body in your hands like a newborn, tending to their every need.”
Are you a caregiver yet? If so, what has been your experience?
