Caring For Aging Parents Checklist

Caring for an aging parent is incredibly rewarding. It also can be stressful, expensive, and time-consuming. So we've put together a checklist to help you provide a high quality of life to your elderly parent.

Acting as a caregiver for an older individual is a meaningful and thoughtful role. It's also a challenging one. While it's rewarding to help others with home care when they need it most, serving in a caregiving role can be stressful. We understand! Family caregivers are asked to become overnight experts in everything from senior medical needs to senior nutrition. The team at Weatherly Inn understands, and we have composed this piece to help new caregivers learn the ropes and practice excellent home care. 

Caring for an elderly loved one at home is both rewarding and challenging. So challenging that it can become physically and emotionally overwhelming. In the eldercare field, we call this caregiver burnout or caregiver stress — and it's a recognized phenomenon. There is no shame in it! 

Every senior is unique, and every family faces particular concerns during these unusual times. So there is no one-size-fits-all answer to answer the question if your senior loved one should be in a nursing home or similar health care facility.

“It comes with age,” people often say as they begin to notice that their vision, memory, and physical health are not as spry as they once were. And it is true, these abilities due often decline with age. 

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 has affected everyone on a global scale. As COVID-19 cases build, Public health statements from health officials have flooded social media and news outlets for months now. From stay home orders and facemask mandates to schools and businesses going fully remote to limit the spread of the virus, every aspect of 'normal' life as we have known it has changed.

There is still much to learn about Coronavirus (COVID-19). Fortunately, and with much appreciation to the hardworking men and women on the front lines of healthcare and research, we do know some crucial information that can help us act accordingly. For example, we know older individuals — and those with other medical conditions — are at a higher risk of exposure and illness from COVID-19.  

2020 has been a stressful year. If you're caring for aging parents or grandparents during these unusual times, the stress can quickly become overwhelming. It's even more stressful if you're a member of the "Sandwich Generation" tasked with caring for children, aging parents and earning a paycheck. The added struggles of social distancing and isolation issues make it even more challenging!

The golden years often bring wonderful life-changing experiences such as retirement and traveling. However, they often come with new challenges like ailments and disease. After a severe illness, fall, or diagnosis of Alzheimer's, a spouse may become completely dependent on the other. A significant health change for a spouse can quickly change all retirement plans.