First considerations
- Determine whether your loved one should be taken care of at home or in a specialized facility. To help decide, make a list of your loved one’s needs. Assess the level of care, opportunities for socialization, and availability of transportation needed by your loved one.
- Consider how much home maintenance, financial management, and health care your own caregiving efforts must include.
- Investigate the 4 main categories of housing for the elderly:
–independent living
–assisted living
–continuing care
–nursing homes - Make a list of the benefits and drawbacks of each type of living situation for your loved one and include associated costs.
- Talk to a geriatric care manager or social worker to help find the right caregiving services.
- When considering a retirement home or similar facility, ensure that staff members can compassionately handle all your loved one’s needs.
- If hiring in-home care services review the qualifications of all candidates and check references diligently.
- If you will be involved with long-distance care, make sure to regularly check in with your loved one to ensure his or her needs are being met.
- If there are siblings, have them participate in this process. Do not assume that they do not want to be involved or that your efforts will be financially reimbursed by them.
First considerations
- Determine whether your loved one should be taken care of at home or in a specialized facility. To help decide, make a list of your loved one’s needs. Assess the level of care, opportunities for socialization, and availability of transportation needed by your loved one.
- Consider how much home maintenance, financial management, and health care your own caregiving efforts must include.
- Investigate the 4 main categories of housing for the elderly:
–independent living
–assisted living
–continuing care
–nursing homes - Make a list of the benefits and drawbacks of each type of living situation for your loved one and include associated costs.
- Talk to a geriatric care manager or social worker to help find the right caregiving services.
- When considering a retirement home or similar facility, ensure that staff members can compassionately handle all your loved one’s needs.
- If hiring in-home care services review the qualifications of all candidates and check references diligently.
- If you will be involved with long-distance care, make sure to regularly check in with your loved one to ensure his or her needs are being met.
- If there are siblings, have them participate in this process. Do not assume that they do not want to be involved or that your efforts will be financially reimbursed by them.