You have seen your relatives in good times, and now you are probably seeing them when they are not at their best. As your relatives get that little bit older, they are going to need a little more support and assistance. They are going to need help with the cooking, cleaning, and washing. Giving your elderly relative the care and support they need in their own home can still give them a sense of freedom and a sense of independence. Now, when you are looking at finding these care workers and support workers – do you know what you are looking for and why?
What is Needed in Their Lives?
To get the ball rolling for your relatives, you need to think about what is needed and wanted in their lives. What areas do they need the most support and help with? Are they struggling with multiple areas in their lives, or are they just struggling with one or two areas? Identifying where care is needed is crucial. You may find it useful to stay with your relatives and see what care they need, as you can sometimes see more first-hand. Over time, you may find that their needs and requirements change, and again, this is something you must account for.
Introducing an Agency
You need some regularity in the care and support that you give to a loved one. If you are not focusing on regularity, then they may be confused about who is coming into their home, when, and why – especially if they are suffering from something such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. To make sure consistency is in place, you may want to look at getting an agency involved. An agency such as Skylark Senior Care can provide everything that your elderly relative needs, and they can provide it in a caring and compassionate manner. When you reach out to an agency, you get the reassurance that someone will always be there for your loved one.
Is Support Regular or on an Ad-hoc Basis?
When establishing needs and looking at agencies, you also need to think about how regular help and assistance will be needed. For example, are you looking at support once a week or perhaps more regularly? Needs and requirements will change over time, but getting a feel for what is needed early on is important.
Taking the Process Slowly
Introducing new people into your relatives’ lives and homes can be difficult, and it can be challenging at the best of times. To make the process work, everyone has to be on board with timescales. Knowing what is happening, when, and why is crucial. Even if you find and select an agency that you wish to use, you may be in for a wait as they match you with care workers and support workers. Being prepared to wait and being patient are crucial. Within this process, you have to learn to trust the professionals and let them do their job. When you do this, you will get better results and your relatives will be happier too.
