It’s never too early to discuss plans for elderly care. Your parents may be healthy and quite capable of doing things around the house right now. You never know when something will happen. Your mom could fall on ice and break her hip. Your dad could have a stroke or heart attack and need elderly care services during the recovery.
You don’t want to think about that, but if you don’t and it happens, planning elderly care services when you’re already scared and stress is much harder. You want to have time to discuss things and come up with the best possible plan. To do that, sit down with your mom and dad to discuss these questions.
What Wouldn’t You Want Your Children Helping You Complete?
If your parents need help, what don’t they want you to help complete? They may be okay with you helping with yard work but not with personal care. They may not want you doing the laundry but don’t mind you helping with meals.
Does Your Home Have Safety Issues?
Go through your parents’ home. Are there issues that increase the risk of a fall? Are rails on all staircases secure? Is the carpeting curled up in spots? Is the tub floor slippery or are there non-slip mats in place?
You should look at each room and make sure there are no clear hazards. The bathroom should have grab bars near the toilet, bathtub, and shower. Lighting should be bright and avoid creating shadows. Outdoor stairs and decks shouldn’t have loose or broken boards.
If Something Happens, Are Plans in Place to Have Someone Make Medical Decisions?
If your dad had a stroke, does he have a medical power of attorney who can make medical decisions following his preferences? If he is unable to communicate, can someone say if he’d want a breathing tube? If he was in a coma following a car crash, would someone know if he’d want to be resuscitated if his heart stopped?
How Do You Plan to Pay for Elderly Care?
Make sure you understand how elderly care works. People often think health insurance will cover caregivers, but that’s not the case. You might get some coverage for temporary home health care like IV-care or wound care following surgery, but insurance will not cover elderly care services like housekeeping and meal preparation.
If your parents have long-term care insurance, that can help cover the bills. Otherwise, your family will be paying out of pocket.
Talk to your parents and make sure you include them when you talk to an elderly care representative. They need to be involved as much as possible to ensure the switch to home care goes smoothly.
If you or an aging loved one is considering elderly care in Minnetonka, MN, and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.
