Have you talked to your parents about a senior care plan? You might not have thought much about it. If your mom or dad has a stroke or is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, what happens next?
Chronic conditions and illnesses include things like arthritis, diabetes, dementia, heart disease, and cancer. In 2012, the CDC found that close to 50 percent of Americans had at least one chronic condition. Of those, 25 percent have two or more.
With a chronic condition or illness comes the need for care. Some people are fine caring for themselves. Others struggle to manage activities of daily living without help. For those people, senior care is essential. Sit down and discuss the answers to these questions as soon as possible. The earlier you have a senior care plan in place, the easier the adjustment is.
What Happens in an Emergency?
There are two main forms you should make sure are completed and on file with your mom and dad’s doctor. First is the HIPAA paperwork. This gives your parent’s doctor permission to share medical details with anyone listed on the form.
Second is a medical power of attorney. This should contain your instructions on what happens in certain cases. Would your mom and dad want to be put on life support or ventilators? Would they want to be resuscitated?
You need to know how to answer important questions. If your dad couldn’t speak for himself and needed an MRI, do you know if he has any metal pins or plates in his body? Does your mom have any allergies to medications? If a glitch prevented the ER doctors from seeing the past medical history, could you cover important details?
Talk About Care Preferences.
If home care became necessary, how do your mom and dad feel about it? They’ll likely have reservations and may be nervous. Would your mom be okay with a male caregiver? She might prefer a female. Would your dad want a male?
If you’re handling some of their senior care, are there things they refuse to have you do? Would your mom want you changing an adult diaper if it came to that? Would your dad want you helping him get in and out of the shower? The goal is to make them comfortable and address concerns by finding a solution that works for everyone.
Once you know what care your mom and dad need and what goals they have for their care, call us. We can discuss pricing, things you may have overlooked, and the best schedule for their needs. Call today.
If you or an aging loved one needs senior care in Carmichael, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/overview/index.htm
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