Many elderly loved ones have a gradual change in their health or their overall situation. For many caregivers, however, they find that their loved one’s situation has changed significantly and needs a new plan of attack.

Assess What’s Happening with Your Loved One

The first step is to get a handle on what exactly is going on with your loved one’s health and her overall situation. Gather all of the information that you can from her doctor and from other potential sources as necessary. The more information that you have, the easier it will be for you and your loved one to determine where to go next.

Figure out the Next Step

Work with your loved one’s medical team and any other professionals to determine what your loved one’s prognosis is. You’ll need to start determining what your loved one’s priorities are when it comes to her health. Once you have an understanding about the priorities involved, you can break up larger issues into smaller tasks that you can delegate or handle when you can.

Don’t Overlook Help in Your Area

Talk to your loved one’s doctor about resources in your area. Another good source of help is your local health department. They can put you in touch with agencies in the immediate area that have resources for senior citizens. If your loved one needs more specialized help, you might need to branch out into national organizations and support groups.

Keep Your Loved One’s Family Involved

Your loved one’s other family members can provide emotional support but they can also offer much more practical help, too. They can stay with your loved one when you can’t be there, cook meals, and help out with cleaning and other tasks. As you learn more about your loved one’s needs, you can start to anticipate what will help her the most and match those needs with a family member who can help.

Remember that You Need Self-care, Too

Many family caregivers forget themselves in this equation. If you’re not taking care of yourself and your needs, you’re going to be in a worse position to be able to take care of your loved one to the best of your ability. Have other family members step in when you need a break or bring in home care providers so that you can take a break when you need to do so.

Take each situation that crops up with your loved one as it occurs. You can only handle one thing at a time, so adjust your focus.

If you or an aging senior are considering hiring in-home care in Southlake, TX, please contact the caring staff at Ray of Sunshine today! (940) 442-5374.

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Cynthia Ferris

Owner at Ray of Sunshine Senior Care

Cynthia has a long history of serving others. As she and her husband traveled the US and overseas while he served in the military, Cynthia worked in a variety of public service positions with city governments and non-profits. After her husband retired, they returned to the DFW area to be closer to family. As an only child, Cynthia was preparing to help care for her aging parents but was stunned when both parents were diagnosed with cancer.

At the same time, she and her husband were faced with the care of his father on the west coast which presented the unique challenges of long-distance care. These events led to a crash course in the senior care industry and her unending dedication to helping seniors and families in similar circumstances. When not working Cynthia enjoys cooking, gardening and traveling with a focus on visiting State and National Parks.

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