Taking care of an elderly parent or a person with a chronic illness can become too much. You have your own family, job and responsibilities, and can easily become overwhelmed. Don’t be too proud to ask for help – from other family members, friends, people in your church or community organizations. You’ll be amazed at how many people volunteer and will love helping seniors!
- Help with Meals. Too often, seniors neglect their nutrition and eat poorly. This can result in weight loss or serve as a precursor to illnesses such as diabetes. Round up a group of people to provide meals for one day/week each. They can make the meals in advance and freeze them so all the senior has to do is pop them in the microwave!
- Help With Health. Many times, doctors, mobile dentists and podiatrists will visit seniors in their home at no extra cost. This makes it much easier for seniors
to get the healthcare they need without having to leave the convenience of their home. - Help With Finances. Depending on their situation, your parents may be eligible for financial assistance. Start by contacting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (the federal agency responsible for Medicare) and SHIP – the State Health Insurance Counseling & Assistance Program, which provides counseling to families on Medicare or Medicaid. Also research other benefits available to veterans.
- Help With Transportation. Many times seniors can no longer drive. Check out the local transportation companies that provide deep discounts to seniors who need to get to doctor appointments or run errands. Many are able to accommodate wheelchairs.
The main thing to realize is you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you and seniors who want to stay at home. There are organizations such as ours — FirstLight Home Care — that provide in home caregivers on an hourly or 24/7 basis. We can bring peace of mind to families who are struggling to help seniors maintain their
independence.
If you have a question related to seniors, FirstLight Home Care’s own Nurse Gina is a valuable resource. She is both an RN and geriatric care manager who can help provide information on senior care.