Elder Care in Oakwood GA
While the primary goal of your elder care plan is to keep your aging parents as healthy, happy, comfortable, and safe as possible, you must also be aware that this care journey will eventually come 
to an end. Thinking about losing your parents is not pleasant to think about, and is not something that you want to dwell on, but ignoring the inevitability of this loss can lead you to not prepare properly, making the loss even more difficult when it does actually happen. By knowing what to do in the first few hours, days, and weeks after a loss, you can feel more confident, reduce stress, and know you are ready whenever such a loss happens. Not only does this make you feel better within the context of your elder care relationship with your aging loved ones, but it also can ease their stress and make them feel more relaxed because you know their wishes and are prepared to carry them out. This supports a stronger parent-child relationship and ensures a higher quality of life throughout your parents’ later years.
Some of the things you will need to do in the first few hours after a loss include:
• Support your surviving parent. This is your most important responsibility in the first stages of coping with a loss. Not only is your surviving parent dealing with her own difficult emotions during this time, but you also want to make sure that she continues receiving the level of care and assistance she needs to stay healthy and safe during this time. Call in her elderly health care services provider, a friend, a neighbor, a spiritual leader, or another child to dedicate their attention solely to the other parent while you handle other tasks;
• Make the proper notifications. It is important to know who you need to call after a death so that the proper authorities respond. Depending on your parent’s wishes, it may not be necessary to call the police. Research in advance to find out what the regulations are in your area and talk to the elder care agency so you can find out if you need to call the police, your hospice worker, or a funeral home directly. Once those arrangements have been made, start calling friends and family who need to know. This is a great time to enact a phone tree where you can call one or two people and then they can pass along the news to others;
• Gather documentation. Make sure you have easy access to your parent’s will, insurance information, directives, and advanced planning forms so that you can provide this information to the appropriate people and follow the correct steps to get your final arrangements in place. Find out what you will need in order to file for a death certificate so that you can have that information readily available and move through that process quickly and smoothly;
• Take care of yourself. Staying strong for your surviving parent and handling all of the arrangements calmly is important, but if you do not give yourself a chance to process the loss and grieve, it will hit you much harder later. Be sure you take care of yourself during these first difficult hours, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and allowing yourself to express emotion in a healthy way. Lean on your loved ones and accept help that is offered to you so you can all get through this time together.
The staff at Home Care Matters is available to talk with you and your family about all of your needs. Home Care Matters is a home care agency providing quality and affordable elder care services in Oakwood, GA and the surrounding areas. Call (678) 828-2195 for more information.
Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”
Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”
You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).
- Tips for Seniors When Choosing a New Medical Doctor - April 12, 2024
- Home Care Matters Receives 3 Home Care Pulse 2024 Best of Home Care® Awards - April 10, 2024
- Five Ways Home Care Supports Aging in Place - April 4, 2024
