Pin As our parents age, we’re often forced to take on the role of caregiver. It’s not easy to watch them decline, but it’s even harder when they need more help than we can give. Caring for an aging parent can be overwhelming, and most adult children don’t know where to start. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to do it alone. Building a support team can help ease the burden and share the load of caring for an aging parent. As we age, we often need more specialized care and attention. Taking care of aging parents can be challenging, both emotionally and physically. Without proper support, caregivers can easily shoulder the complete burden of their care, which can lead to burnout and a decline in the quality of care provided. Therefore, it is crucial to build a support team to assist in caregiving tasks. In this post, we will discuss five tips for building an effective care team to provide your senior loved one with the best possible care. As our parents age, it can be difficult to watch them struggle with their health and well-being. While this can be a rewarding experience, it can also be overwhelming and exhausting. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to shoulder the complete burden of care alone. One of our clients, Mrs. D. developed Alzheimer’s Disease. When our services started as her advocate, she was aware of the changes and her memory lapses. Mr. and Mrs. D asked for our help. Mr. D had one request. “Keep my wife home with me, I do not want her to go into a nursing home.” This was going to be a potentially tall order, but we made it our mission to keep her home safe for as long as humanly possible. Over several months things changed and became more challenging. We had to lock up all the cabinets removing access to anything that would be harmful if consumed. We had locks on the insides of the doors, windows, and utilized a baby monitor. As time passed behavior changes occurred and we needed 24-hour caregivers in the home. We were able to staff the hours with both agency caregivers and private caregivers. We implemented the Share the Care Program and leaned on family, friends and church family for support and care. The responsibility of the care fell on their grandchildren they had raised after their daughter passed away. We had two siblings early in their 20s that had to cope with this challenge. Uncles and cousins pitched in.  The moral of this story is that there is always a way. It may not be easy or simple, but it is possible.  Let’s jump into the five tips of this post. 1. Why is a care team important? A care team can provide specialized support to your aging parents that you may not be able to provide on your own. For example, if your parent has dementia, a geriatric psychiatrist or neurologist may be able to provide specialized care that you may not be equipped to handle. Having caregivers experienced in Dementia Care or hiring a dementia specialist to work with you and your family would be a very good use of time and money. Additionally, a care team can help manage the care and logistics of your parent’s overall health, such as scheduling appointments and keeping track of medications. This can be especially helpful if you have other responsibilities, such as work or children, that require your attention. For more information on balancing work and caregiving, you are welcome to read our recent blog on this topic. Building a support team can make caring for an aging parent much easier. It’s a way to share the responsibility and reduce the burden on any one individual. A care team can provide emotional support, physical care for the parents, and even help with tasks like running errands or preparing meals. This can be especially important for those adult children who don’t have the resources to hire a private caregiver. Often times certain tasks that someone could help with would not require a healthcare professional. 2. How do you go about putting a team together and making sure everyone is doing their part? The first step in building a care team is identifying the areas where you may need additional support. This may include medical care, personal care, transportation, and emotional support for both you and your parent. You can then start to research and connect with professionals and organizations that can provide these services. It’s important to communicate clearly with all members of the care team about expectations and responsibilities, and to check in regularly to make sure everyone is doing their part. We have a mini course and free checklist available to help you determine what needs your parent may have while keeping them safe at home. The next step in building a support team is identifying who can help. This can include family members, friends, neighbors, or even community organizations. Once you’ve identified potential team members, it’s important to communicate your needs clearly so that everyone understands their role. A care plan should be developed to ensure that everyone is on the same page about the type of care needed and when it’s needed. Be specific about what kind of help you need and how often you need it. Everyone has their own zone of genius. Some with be comfortable with certain tasks and others won’t. With an open discussion, you can create a schedule that works for everyone. Remember that each person has their own schedule and commitments, so be flexible in your arrangements. These areas can encompass everything from medical care to household management. Make a list of tasks that need to be done and assign them to specific people. For example, your sibling may be responsible for grocery shopping while a family friend can take your parent to doctor’s appointments. Use technology: There are many apps and … Continue reading Building a Support Team: Share the Load and Ease the Burden of Caring for an Aging Parent