How do you make sure your dad has the support he needs to age at home? You might want to help him out, but do you have the time required? Are you sure you can provide everything he requires to be independent and safe? Read these tips on making sure that your dad gets the best possible care as he gets older.
Know His Needs
Pay attention to the things your dad can do independently. Then, keep track of the things he struggles to do.
Your dad can shower and get dressed, but his arthritis keeps him from brushing and flossing his teeth correctly. He can walk around, but standing up from a seated position is difficult. Everything you notice takes him extra time to complete or is too difficult to do are the items to put onto a care list.
Encourage Him to Do As Much As He Can
Don’t take over everything your dad has to do. Encourage him to do things for himself. For example, he can still cook, but he struggles with chopping, dicing, and slicing ingredients.
Prep the ingredients and let him cook the meal instead of taking over all kitchen chores. If things are ready to go into the pan, he may have the confidence to do the rest.
If he can fold laundry but struggles to get up and down the stairs to the laundry room, you can wash and dry things but leave them in the basket for him to fold.
Ask Others to Help
You have brothers and sisters who live nearby. Ask them to help your dad, too. You shouldn’t be the only one chipping in to help him. If he says he is unwilling to ask them to help him and prefers to have you, reach out to them without your dad’s knowledge.
They can help him without him knowing that you spoke up. He’ll have the help he needs and not feel like he was the one who asked.
Take Breaks As Needed
Many family caregivers have multiple responsibilities. You work full-time and help your dad throughout the week. Plus, you have children living at home. Juggling all of these responsibilities is exhausting. You must focus on self-care and put your needs first.
It’s okay to admit you need a break. Hire caregivers to help out while taking a break and have time for yourself.
Companion care at home ensures your dad has help with his daily activities. You can help when you can, but you never feel overwhelmed trying to take care of everything he needs. Talk to a companion care at home specialist to learn more.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Companion Care at Home in Woodbridge, VA please contact the caring staff at Passion Home Health Solutions LLC today at. 703-462-9141
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