A Guide for Caregivers
If you are making decisions about caring for older family members, you are not alone. Studies of care giving report that 60% of persons over 55 years of age are responsible for at least one daily activity for their parents. Planning for the care of family members who are becoming frail or suffering from a chronic disease should begin before the need becomes immediate. Time to plan gives family members more options and more time to research medical, financial and realistic options.
See the checklist for caregivers outlined below for more information on the types of information you should have knowledge of before making care-giving decisions. Planning for care giving should include all the participants, including spouses, children and other significant person who will assist in the care. Even long distance caregivers may be able to help with such things as organizing medical bills or prepare and file state and federal taxes.
When is it Time for Care?
The time for care giving may come gradually, or it may be a more sudden decision following a medical situation. Care giving becomes crucial when a family member or friend becomes too ill or incapacitated to care for themselves. Or, when a spouse who has been the main caretaker can no longer continue to take on that role.
When possible, it is a good idea to involve the person being cared for in the decision making for their care. It isn’t easy being independent and making the transition to depending on others for care. A once independent person can experience feelings of helplessness and anger, even depression, when making the transition. Be aware of their feelings as you continue along the decision-making path for their care. Recognizing their feelings and maintaining a sense of humor, along with an open line of communication can make an important difference when planning for your loved ones care. Those who require care often include individuals:
• who live alone
• with a history of falls
• with dementia or other severe declining mental capacity
• with chronic mental illness
• with stroke or other physically limiting conditions
• with neurological diseases
• with multiple chronic disease
• with severely impaired vision
• with developmental disabilities returning to a home environment
Remember to Take Care of Yourself
Becoming the caregiver is not an easy roll to take on. Often the stress, time and energy involved are overwhelming at first. Care giving can be physically and emotionally exhausting and caregivers must remember to take time for their own priorities.
Finding the Right Place
To find the residential program that's best for you:
• Ask Questions
Find out about specific facilities in your area. Doctors, friends and relatives, local hospital discharge planners and social workers, and religious organizations can help. Your state's Office of the Long-Term Care ombudsman has information about specific nursing homes and can let you know whether there have been problems at a particular home. Other types of residential arrangements, like "board and care" homes, do not follow the same federal, state, or local licensing requirements or regulations as nursing homes. Talk to people in your community or local social service agencies to find out which facilities seem to be well run.
• Call
Contact the places that interest you. Ask basic questions about vacancies, number of residents, costs and method of payment, and participation in Medicare and Medicaid. Also think about what's important to you, such as transportation, meals, housekeeping, activities, special units for Alzheimer's disease, or medication policies.
• Visit
When you find a place that seems right, go talk to the staff, residents, and, if possible, family members of residents. Set up an appointment, but also go unannounced and at different times of the day. See if the staff treats residents with respect and try to meet the needs of each person. Check if the building is clean and safe. Are residents restrained in any way? Are social activities and exercise programs offered - and enjoyable? Do residents have personal privacy? Is the facility secure for people and their belongings? Eat a meal there to see if you like the food.
• Understand
Once you have made a choice, be sure you understand the facility's contract and financial agreement. It's a good idea to have a lawyer look them over before you sign.
A Smooth Transition
Moving from home to a long-term care facility or nursing home is a big change. It affects the whole family. Some facilities or community groups have a social worker who can help you prepare for the change. Allow some time to adjust after the move has taken place. Regular visits by family and friends are important. They can be reassuring and comforting. Visits are necessary, too, for keeping an eye on the care that is being given.
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