The Alternative Press

Especially after the holidays we receive many calls from anxious family members with concerns for their elderly parents.  For so many of us who are not able to visit our parents on a regular basis, the holidays are often a wake up call. Health and behavioral changes can easily go unnoticed when our communication with our parents is limited.

Adult children may find that their parents: are more forgetful, have lost weight, are neglecting their hygiene, have bare refrigerators, are now wearing stained clothing, have unpaid bills laying around...  In fact, whether you are near or far or if another relative or friend alerts you, these signs should serve as a call to action for calls or visits to a doctor or simply some supervision by a caring neighbor.

Often calls inquiring about our services are from a daughter or son residing in another state. Questions such as, What services do we provide?, Are caregivers background checked?, Will they prepare meals?, do errands?, drive? What are the costs?, What insurance is accepted?, are the norm. After our lengthy conversation (and the caller's audible sighs of relief) this information will usually flow to other siblings so that decisions can be made to insure the health and well-being of their parents.

For the most part, this is the best case scenario. It precedes and therefore prevents an emergency need - a deterioration of health or a fall that often requires hospitalization. In any event it also behooves you to start doing some research of professional home care to better understand your next action should this be necessary.

Briefly, our agency  practice is to first assign a Care Team. A visit by one of our nurses and our social worker will yield a personalized care plan with suggestions for the appropriate number of hours of care by the certified home health aide we feel will best "fit". 

In addition and moving forward, our clients receive monthly visits from the RN to reassess and make any nescessary changes to their care plan. (Our Care Team is available at any time should there be any concern, question or emergency.) A 24/7 communication policy is also key to everyone's well-being. Essentially the agency you work with becomes an extension of your family when you can't possibly be the caregiver yourself.

So, whether you live around the corner or across the country everyone needs to take care of their other family members and responsibilities - and also deserves the peace of mind knowing that their parents are safe, healthy, and happy .

 

Wishing you all a very happy and more important, healthy New Year!

Larry Aronson