Especially in the earlier stages of caregiving, you might find that you’re not too worried about what’s going on with your elderly family member. She might seem to have things under control and things are rolling right along. But there are some situations that demand much more of your attention and might even require you to put your foot down a bit.
Your Senior’s Health Is Changing
Your elderly family member’s health is not something that remains static forever. In fact, if she has chronic health issues, those are likely to change sooner rather than later. Rapid health changes might mean that you need to be more insistent with your senior than you expected and sooner than you expected as well.
Safety Issues Might Require You to Speak Up
If you’re noticing that your senior’s home or her behavior is full of safety issues, you might find that spurs you to speak up more than you thought you would. Some of the safety issues you might encounter could involve maintenance concerns or structural changes that need to accommodate your senior’s needs. Others might be more involved, like a clutter situation that verges on hoarding.
Your Senior’s Driving Can Be a Factor
Your elderly family member might still be driving, but should she be? It’s entirely possible that at some point driving is no longer a safe thing for her to do on her own. But the obstacle that caregivers often run into is that people who aren’t safe to drive very rarely agree with that assessment. Your senior might want to keep driving, no matter what, and this might mean that you need to get much more involved.
Some of the Decisions She’s Making Might Seem Off
If your elderly family member is experiencing changes in how her brain works, her decision-making skills might not be as trustworthy as they once were. Some of the decisions she makes now might seem like ones she never would have made before or they might be downright unsafe for her. This might require you to be more vocal about what you’re seeing.
As your senior’s caregiver, these situations can usually point to something more going on that you need to help correct for your senior. Hiring elderly care providers can give your senior the hands-on help that she needs and can free up time and energy for you so that you can approach some of these problems with a clear head.
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 Home Care Services in Dacula, GA, 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).
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