Any caregiver, either a professional or a close relative can face many challenges when faced with taking care of an elderly person, or parent. This can be especially difficult if a crisis develops with the person.
Maybe your mother has fallen and broken a bone, and requires urgent hospital attention, followed by rehabilitation in a nursing home. Maybe you are the only member of your family in a position to help, or have been ‘elected’ by your family as the best suited person to carry out the caring role.
If this kind of situation develops, then decisions have to be made quickly in relation to the elderly person being cared for .in terms of what to do next. Following the necessary hospital treatment, what kind of after care does the person need? Is physical therapy required? What types of medicine will need to be administered?
It is important for the caregiver to be fully acquainted with the medical condition of the senior person on leaving hospital. It is better to discuss such matters with the doctor or obtain information relevant to the condition from the internet. There are many books available which will help the caregiver, and equally many organizations which will happily give advice and help with the caring situation.
At this stage it is advisable for the prime caregiver to meet with the rest of the family, try to get as many other members involved as possible. This will ensure that the entire family is agreeable to any decisions which have been made by you.
All families have people with different personalities and values. It is essential that everyone is in agreement with the plans and decisions made by the prime caregiver in relation to his or her mental well being, and the welfare of the aged person.
If the condition of the person being cared for is serious, then the care giver, in conjunction with the family, should ensure that all of the personal documents belonging to the person are up to date, and safely secured.
The questions need to be answered in terms of a last will and testament, which will clearly define the disposal of the assets of the aged person. Has a person been positively named who will ensure that the wishes of the person will be carried out? Has the elderly person expressed his or her desires as to just how an end of life situation should be dealt with?
The matters relating to the health insurance of the elderly should be investigated, and that powers of attorney have been correctly designated for the administration of on going finances, and health care procedures.
Sadly, in many families, quarrels develop over money matters, and it is vital for both the comfort of the caregiver, and the well being of the aged person that all such matters are clearly defined and settled in every ones mind.? If there is any confusion with regard to these matters then it is often best to consult an Attorney who specializes in elderly care law.
Tags: Care, Caregiver, Challenges, Crisis, Decisions, Elder4ly Person, Family, Hospital, Money, Need, Parent, Personal Documents, Personalities, Relative, Testament, Treatment
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