Senior Care Is a Family Matter

It takes a family working together to select the best care option for a loved one, ensuring that all their needs and wishes are fully addressed.

Why Is It Important?

As people grow older, they deserve the strong support and love from their family members, as they may face different health challenges. However, with family support, they can keep their independence and enjoy daily life.

Family members are best able to advocate for their loved ones’ preferences, given their deep knowledge of them.

Even when getting outside help, such as an in-home care provider like Comfort Keepers, which specializes in personalized care to keep seniors safe and happy at home, family involvement remains essential. It allows you to tell the caregivers your loved one’s preferences, habits, routines, and concerns. This ensures care that truly reflects their individuality, because without such help, the care provided may not be what they need.

According to recent studies, 91 percent of older Canadians prefer to age in place, which shows the increased role of families in senior care, It is important for families to work together in the planning process, since no individual can handle the many duties of caregiving alone, especially with work, family, and community duties.

In many families, one sibling often takes the primary caregiver role because they live close, and deciding this role should be part of first talks with aging parents. Of course, parents should be part of every decision to keep as much control over their lives as possible.

No matter who is the primary caregiver, all siblings should help in some way. This could involve home maintenance, managing bill paying and finances, or taking care of insurance and medical claim issues.

Also, the importance of regular visits cannot be overstated. These visits not only brighten your parents’ days but also allow you to check their health and share any concerns with their caregivers, which may lead to changes to the care plan.

What Should I Consider?

Selecting the most appropriate care for a senior loved one involves several decisions and questions:

• How do I begin discussing my parent’s care needs?
• How will the care be funded?
• What is the safest, most comfortable, and most suitable care option for my parent?
• Is a family member nearby who can provide assistance at a moment’s notice?
• What types of help does my parent require—for example, bathing, eating, transportation, or medication reminders?
• How do my parent’s religious affiliation and other personal preferences affect the choice of care?
• What types of senior care are available? How do they differ? How does each option address my parent’s needs?

To identify the most suitable senior care solution, consider having their physician perform an evaluation. You might also explore options that align with your parent’s unique traits and temperament.

For example, is your parent more of a thinker or a socializer? Thinkers value space and privacy. They prefer independence, reading, and working quietly alone. In contrast, socializers gain energy from people. They enjoy interactions with others. Without regular contact, they may feel lonely.

Additionally, reflect on your parent’s past living experiences. Are they accustomed to owning a home filled with valued possessions? If so, they might find it hard to leave. Or have they lived in an apartment or condo? This could make adjusting to smaller living spaces with neighbours easier.

Choosing the best senior care option presents a difficult decision. Involving family members helps ensure all factors are considered. This leads to the optimal solution for your loved one.

Ready to explore personalized in-home care? Contact Comfort Keepers today for a free consultation.