The Population Reference Bureau estimates that the number of seniors above 65 will double over the next five decades, from 52 million in 2018 to approximately 95 million in 2060. This is supported by the fact that some 10,000 seniors are turning 65 each day. The majority of them hope to age in place.
It’s a role reversal that you will never be ready for. It can be frustrating to watch your once healthy and strong parent struggle with basic activities of life. Keeping them comfortable as they age at home can be draining as a primary caregiver. You may need help from in home care services.
In Home Care Services in Phoenix, AZ
Your loved ones may never admit that they need help, even when it’s obvious they are struggling with daily tasks. Senior home care services can provide you with a necessary break when looking after your parent.
However, you may need to ensure that the in home caregiver is treating your parent well. How do you ascertain that your loved one is well-cared for? Here are five amazing tips to help you unobtrusively check on your in home care services caregiver.
1. Set Goals and Objectives
When you hire an in home elderly caregiver for your loved one, you should have a meeting with them beforehand to establish your expectations. This candid discussion allows you to set objectives for them that you expect them to fulfill. It makes it easy to analyze their performance, depending on the agreed contract.
2. Unexpectedly Drop-in or Call
Primary caregivers often battle guilt for leaving their seniors with other people who aren’t them. An excellent way to keep your heart at peace is by dropping by your parents’ house unexpectedly. It gives you a chance to observe how the caregiver treats your senior inconspicuously. You can also note the signs that point to the activities that they have been engaging in. You may also decide to call in and ask your senior a few questions.
3. Listen to Your Loved One’s Feedback
You may ask your parent for feedback on the in house care services caregiver. You may need to separate ‘normal grumblings’ from potential red-flags. Casual conversations with your loved one can be an excellent source of information. Remember to listen openly without judgment. If something sounds amiss, confer with the caregiver before taking action.
4. Request a Daily Log
Another excellent way to un-intrusively check up on your senior home caregiver is through requesting a journal. The caregiver can provide a summary of the activities they did with your parent during the day. You may receive summarized documents on medication, mood, and appetite.
5. Set Up a Support System
You may also recruit some of your relatives or friends to help the caregiver at any point. Relatives or friends can drop in at the house to look at the progress of your parents. It also makes it easy to learn what the caregiver may need to provide excellent in home care services.
It is essential as a primary caregiver to seek help to look after your parent. Remember that it does not show weakness on your part, but rather it’s a way to ensure that everyone is well cared for. Contact Home Instead TODAY to get more information on the in home care services you may need for your loved one.
