How to Make Reasonable Caregiving Decisions

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Making the right decisions for your elderly loved one’s care is one of your biggest priorities as a caregiver. While it’s normal to waver with indecision during life’s stressful events, these tips can give you the confidence you need to ensure your loved one benefits from your decisions. 

Do Your Research

Today, there are more resources than ever to help you make sound caregiving decisions. Support groups, online articles, and forums can all provide starting points for you to learn more about your loved one’s health conditions and the best options for home care. Just make sure to do your research using reputable sources and compare the information from each source. 

Talk to Professionals

Your loved one’s medical team and in-home caregivers have professional experience that can guide your decisions. For example, they’ve seen many families managing care for seniors with a variety of health conditions, and they’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. While every senior’s situation is different, knowing the strategies used for those with health conditions similar to your loved one’s can help you decide if they apply to his or her care.

The type of in-home care Phoenix seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time. We are a trusted provider of respite and 24-hour care, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care for seniors.

Consider the Full Picture

Sometimes the burden of responsibility may be enough to make you freeze when making a decision, and it’s easy to get caught up in a mindset centered on worst-case scenarios. Try to avoid getting stuck in a cycle of negative thinking, and instead focus on the benefits and drawbacks of your options because they affect both you and your loved one. For example, arranging for respite care can give you a chance to relax and your loved one a new social opportunity. Knowing your decision has benefits across the board can alleviate concerns about your choices. 

Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a trusted provider of home care Phoenix seniors can depend on.

Give New Decisions a Trial Run

Many of the decisions you need to make can be changed if they don’t work out. Trying a new medication reminder, scheduling an initial meeting with a caregiver, or adding a few safety features to the home are all temporary decisions that may provide a permanent solution to your dilemma once you give them time to work. 

One of the most important decisions you can make is whether and when to hire a caregiver for your loved one. Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help. Call us to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.