Many family members take on the responsibility of caring for an ailing loved one at home while living over an hour away, which can be highly straining and upheaval.
Caregiving from a distance requires planning and support. Below you’ll find tips to assist in managing tasks efficiently, such as keeping tabs on medication – by creating and maintaining an up-to-date written list of prescriptions or medications taken.
Ask for help.
Consider including family and friends in helping with homecare, whether collecting prescriptions from someone, coming every week to assist with chores, or taking a vacation together as a group.
Reminding loved ones they require assistance can be challenging, so it is essential to approach this subject delicately and respectfully. Enlisting help from an impartial third-party, such as home care service providers, may also ease fears associated with unfamiliar circumstances and help alleviate anxiety about unknown things. Hearing stories of others using home care services might also ease fears associated with new ideas for caregiving services.
If the decision to hire professional caregivers for someone with low income has been made, they may qualify for in-home supportive services (IHSS). It should be noted that these programs operate separately from Medicaid health insurance plans, and eligibility can differ by state.
As with anything important, taking steps to safeguard the belongings and information of loved ones is also wise. Lock up valuable items or place them in safe deposit boxes if your loved one has dementia; many caregivers worry about theft; however, most “missing” items are stored somewhere out of sight or misplaced. Remember that you can always change caregivers if unsatisfied or uncomfortable with their service; contact your home care agency directly if any concerns arise.
Be forward-thinking.
Caring for friends and family can be stressful. To reduce this strain, it’s essential that you are realistic about what tasks you can and cannot complete on your own; liaison tasks such as attending medical appointments may be manageable but more practical tasks such as bathing and dressing may require outside assistance. A team of family and friends should come together to form an overall care plan, whether through formal meetings, written communication, or just calling you daily to check in and provide updates; this approach can reduce stress and prevent miscommunication between group members.
Engaging others increases the odds of someone being there when an emergency strikes.
Be prepared for emergencies.
Prepare yourself and your home for disasters and emergencies that may arise by being proactive about planning. Being ready can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses associated with crises or emergencies. At HSEM, we recommend taking several steps to safeguard you, your family, and your home in the face of potential problems or troubles:
Start by developing a communications plan and compiling an emergency contact list for those you live with or care for, including emergency contacts for yourself and any family members living together with or caring for. Write it down and store it securely so it can easily be found during an emergency. Include people with disabilities; access and functional needs; seniors; children; non-English speakers, and even pets in this plan!
Once disaster strikes, select two meeting locations outside your neighborhood that you and your family will use as meeting points in case of emergencies and practice getting there. Choose an out-of-state relative or friend as the emergency contact for your family; cell phone networks can quickly become overloaded during and immediately following disasters, so it may be easier to contact people living in unaffected areas through this method. Provide this person with a prepaid cell phone, and ensure they know your loved one’s unique needs or medical conditions.
Create an easily accessible emergency supplies kit for your home, work, and car, and ensure it contains at least 72 hours of food and water, including any medications your loved ones take. Furthermore, familiarize yourself with evacuation plans at work, school or daycare, and any other places you frequent.
Clarity Care understands that the difficulty and emotional strain of caring for a family member can be both physically and emotionally taxing, which is why our quality, professional, and reliable home health aide services support caregivers. Our home aides are trained to provide hands-on personal care such as bathing and grooming and assistance with feeding or medication reminders, allowing the caregiver a break or rest while giving continuity of care to our patients. For more information, visit our website or call 1-800-227-3536! To learn more, visit our website or call 1-800-227-3536!
Be flexible.
As a family caregiver, you must understand that your clients and their families may face considerable stress and uncertainty. Open communication channels are the best way to keep everyone involved happy and relaxed.
Be sure to communicate regularly with both your client and their family members regarding the care being provided, including updates or changes in schedules, as this will ease any worries they have that they are not being adequately taken care of and assure them you are providing only top quality home care services.
Consider designating one employee from your home care agency as the primary point of contact with the client’s family so they can speak directly with that individual each time they call on you for services. This will build trust between employees and families while informing everyone about family dynamics, concerns, occupations, etc. Plus, it allows your agency to better serve its clients by knowing their needs and preferences.
Make an effort to understand a client’s family traditions, culture, and religion; not only will this show your respect, but it may help your caregivers better support and understand them during special occasions like the holidays.
When providing home care to family and friends, forming a team is advisable. This team could include spouses/partners, adult children, close friends, and professional caregivers – any combination could reduce workload while alleviating feelings of guilt or resentment associated with being the sole provider.
Home health aides typically require a doctor’s report before being hired as private home health aides, though Medicare Advantage plans and long-term care insurance plans may cover them as well. Furthermore, there are agencies that specialize in matching individuals with caregivers based on their individual needs and requirements – this can help ensure you find someone compatible with the personality, interests, and lifestyle needs of your loved one.