Caregiving Starts with Communication

What should you do when you first realize Mom or Dad needs help?

How do you identify the kind of help he or she needs?

The first step would be to take a thorough look at your parent’s lifestyle; assessing physical, emotional, financial and living situation. This will help you to identify strengths and weaknesses.

Always talk with your parents or loved ones. This is all about them.  Their wishes and priorities should be at the top at all times.  If they are capable of doing so, your loved ones should be the ones making the decisions.

It is important to recognize the more help you get from others the better the care will be that you provide for your loves ones. Involving others regularly and often makes it less likely that you will be consumed by the role of caregiver. Make an appointment with a Professional Geriatric Care Manager or call the Senior Center and set up an appointment for an intake with the Outreach Manager.

Take the first steps to make sure your loved one can remain in their home and still be independent and engaged with friends and family.