Just as they have done for their children many years before the roles changed, many older adults depend on adult children for advocacy to help navigate life’s transitions.Trusting someone you love to be cared for by someone else is never easy, especially for a senior family member. Whether at home or in a facility, you’ll have questions that need to be answered. You’ll also want to be prepared to advocate for your loved one to proactively manage any potential problems and also to immediately resolve issues that come up.
For example, review the following common situations and how to most effectively advocate for aging parents and loved ones:
- You live far away. Thanks to technology, it is easier than ever to stay close to a long-distance relative and to keep a finger on the pulse of how things are going. Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype with the senior regularly to check in. If an online family portal is available for the care provider and family members to share notes and comments, make the most of this communication tool. And in case you are unable to visit in person, ask a friend or other member of the family who lives close by to drop in routinely.
- Your loved one has dementia. A loved one with dementia might not be able to effectively communicate their wishes and needs. For example, a new caregiver may not realize that Dad wears inserts in his shoes and she may put his shoes on each morning without them. Dad may not know how to express this need or could have forgotten about this need and start to become uncomfortable that day. Or he might act out because he is experiencing related discomfort, which may result in other issues. As the older adult’s voice, make certain to share even the seemingly small details about the person’s preferences with the care provider to ensure transitions are a smooth experience for all.
- You’re concerned about challenging behaviors. In the event the older adult is susceptible to wandering, aggression, angry outbursts, hoarding, or any one of a variety of other difficult behaviors, you might feel embarrassed or ashamed. Though some may prefer not to discuss the issue, it is better to share this openly with the care provider. More likely than not, they have knowledge about effectively working with an array of personalities and personal nuances, and will be able to incorporate strategies that will work most effectively together with your loved one.
JFS Care partners with families, working together to ensure the highest quality of care and independent living for seniors, through customized services such as:
- Meal planning and preparation
- Companionship for enjoyable activities and conversations
- Running errands
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Personal care for safe baths/showers, getting dressed, etc.
- Transportation and accompaniment
- And much more
Contact us at 213-383-2273 for a complimentary in-home consultation and learn more about the availability of Jewish family services in Santa Monica and surrounding areas. Please see our full service area and allow us to get to know one another and to develop a care plan to best meet the needs of a senior you love.