Aging loved ones benefit from having an advocate to help manage their healthcare. Those with serious medical conditions or advancing dementia need extra assistance to ensure they receive appropriate care and attention.

To get involved in your loved one’s healthcare, make these strategies a regular part of your caregiving duties.

Determine How Much Help is Needed

Your loved one’s ability to manage medications, keep appointments and make decisions about his or her health is a guide as to how much help you should provide.

Some seniors simply need assistance staying organized, but those with conditions impacting their mobility or cognition may require someone to take them to appointments, discuss treatment choices with doctors, remind them to take medications on time and much more.

If you or other family members are not able to dedicate as much time as is necessary for your loved one, a compassionate in-home caregiver can be of great assistance. Hiring a professional caregiver can sound scary or stressful, but when you work with Caring Home Care you can rest assured we have decades of experience matching families with the perfect caregiver.

In-home caregivers can help with:

• Bathing and toileting
• Meal preparation
• Transportation
• Companionship
• Homemaking
• And so much more

Learn more about what it’s like to hire an in-home caregiver today, and feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

Maintain Detailed Communications with Doctors

If you do need to accompany your loved one to appointments, bring a detailed list of his or her medications, supplements, and over-the-counter treatments, as well as any known allergies or reactions to medication and food.

Keep track of changes in physical health, behavior, and cognition so that you can discuss specific concerns. Based on your loved one’s condition, the doctor can alert you to potential medication interactions and specific signs of his or her illness progressing.

Be Proactive in the Hospital

Accompany your loved one when he or she visits the hospital for procedures or emergencies. Ask questions about the nature, necessity and potential risks of all medications and tests, and get detailed information regarding follow-up care.

Make sure every person who attends to your loved one has the important details of his or her medical history and any specific instructions from primary doctors.

Understand His or Her Wishes

Aging relatives aren’t always keen to discuss subjects relating to the end of life, but it’s important for you to know exactly what your loved one is and isn’t comfortable with when it comes to healthcare.

Discuss his or her wishes, and create a healthcare proxy form or living will detailing what is to be done in the event he or she is no longer able to make healthcare decisions.

Helping to manage your loved one’s healthcare takes the confusion and worry out of meeting some of the challenges of aging. Continue to advocate for high-quality care as he or she ages, and keep the lines of communication open to reduce the risk of errors.

If you need extra support in your loved one’s daily care, Caring Home Care can help! Our certified caregivers can help accomplish daily tasks as well as provide your loved one with the attention they need to remain healthy and happy. Learn more about our caregivers today!