Your mom had a stroke and needs someone with her throughout the day and night. You and your brother plan to split up the day and provide the help she needs, but is that enough? Before you take on your mom’s care, read these tips from other family caregivers.
Ask Your Mom How She Feels
Your mom may need help, but she might not want you being the one who helps her. Sometimes, it is stressful having to follow your child’s rules. It’s also embarrassing needing to rely on an adult child for tasks like bathing, toileting, incontinence, and oral care. She might be more comfortable with a trained caregiver.
If your mom tells you she isn’t comfortable with your help, see if she’s okay with a different sibling. If she still isn’t comfortable, make sure you arrange personal care services.
Make Sure You Know What Help Is Needed
It’s not surprising if your mom is hiding things from you. Ask her doctor what she is going to need help with now and in the future. Take notes on what you watch your mom avoid doing or struggle with during your visits.
You want to have a thorough list of the help she needs. An in-home care agency can adjust your mom’s care plan as it’s needed, but you want to make sure you’ve covered the ADLs and IADLs that she struggles with the most.
You Can’t Do It All
You might encounter people who say that it’s your responsibility to care for your mom and that anything less makes you a bad son or daughter. Do not listen to them. Not every person is in the right place mentally or physically to provide care.
Sometimes, family caregivers have to work to keep the bills paid, food on the table, and the mortgage or rent paid on time. Your mom may be willing to pay you, but it’s not the same as your current salary.
Many family caregivers talk about running into substantial debt after quitting their jobs to care for an aging or ailing parent. They give up retirement contributions and employment benefits. They use their savings to cover their parents’ bills.
Some family caregivers become so busy with their mom or dad that they stop seeing their friends. As friendships disappear, they find themselves with a small or non-existent social circle and lots of regrets.
They avoid medical and dental check-ups because they don’t have insurance or free time, and they end up with health issues. Don’t take that risk. You can care for your mom while also maintaining a personal life and job.
In-home care is a good way to ensure you can help your mom while also taking plenty of breaks. Get together a list of questions from everyone in the family and make a call. You’ll learn more about in-home care’s pricing and availability and can use that information to make the necessary arrangements.
If you or an aging loved one are considering the assistance of an personal care services in Pikesville, MD please contact the caring staff at Renaissance Adult Medical Center. Call (443) 501-9500
Renaissance Adult Medical Center Provides Senior Socialization in a Medical Adult Day Care Center in Baltimore City, Baltimore County (Pikesville, Towson, Owings Mills, Catonsville, Reisterstown, Dundalk, Essex), Howard County (Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge, Laurel), and in many other counties and cities of Maryland.
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