5 Common Mistakes People With Aging Parents Make
1. Avoiding talking about alternative living arrangements with your parents.
Being proactive here is so important. When you have these discussions early and often you can be much less confrontational and it will be so much easier for everyone. Having these conversations earlier rather than later, you are able to approach them in a more relaxed, low-key manner.
If you wait and start talking about it after your Dad has fallen and broken his hip, there is no time to be low key-you are now “under the gun” to find answers quickly!
2. Being in the dark about your parents financial situation.
Do you know if your parents have a long term care insurance policy? If they have one, make sure you know where to find it and that it can be easily accessed. It’s also a good idea to take the time to read through the policy so you have at least a basic understanding of what it and isn’t covered.
If there is no insurance, are there other financial resources? Would it behoove your parents to talk to an attorney about Medicaid eligibility and spend down rules? If one of your parents is a Veteran they may be eligible to have certain services covered.
3. Immediately thinking that a nursing home is the only option when one, or both, of your parents’ health starts failing.
There are no shortage of options around these days. If your parent is resolute about staying in their own home, it is very possible to arrange for care there.
You can also get a bit creative about combining several types of care. As an example, a family could have Dad go to an adult day care facility a few times a week. Other days you may have a caregiver that stays with him other days and also overnight. Then you and other family members can fill in other times, if needed. When it comes to customizing a plan that is right for you and your loved ones, the possibilities are endless.
4. Not getting help until the last minute.
When Mom is scheduled to come home from the hospital tomorrow, there are few things more stressful than having to start coming up with a plan of care. In situations like that when there is so much stress, it’s nearly impossible to make a good, rational decision in such a short period of time.
You’ll want to do your research as early as possible. Identify some facilities or agencies and contact them. See which ones you get a good vibe from and build a relationship with them. Arrange for you and/or your parent(s) to visit or have someone come to the home for an assessment. By starting the process sooner rather than later, you can call on people who are familiar with your situation if an emergency occurs.
5. Only taking cost into consideration when selecting care providers
This can be a tricky one. If you are looking at nursing homes, understand that there are very expensive ones that have poor track records when it comes to care. Fancy brochures, videos or tours don’t count for much. Try your best to talk with residents and their loved ones to get a better feeling about the quality of care the nursing home offers.
And it you’re looking to arrange home care, selecting the company with the lowest rates might not be the best option. The quality caregivers out there command (and deserve) a higher salary. Good home care agencies can’t be the lowest cost providers yet offer the best caregivers. Lastly, if you go the home care route, be sure to meet with, and approve of, anyone that will be provider care for your loved one before they start care.
Theanna Zika started St. Louis, MO home care company, Heavenly Helpers, in 2004. She shares tips, strategies and advice about caring for seniors that she has learned over the years on the blog at her company’s website. The site also features a helpful list of St. Louis, MO senior resources for seniors and their loved ones in the St. Louis, MO Metro area.