‘Someone to talk to and connect to local resources’,
‘Figure out when and how I will know when to put my mother into a retirement community’,
‘How to prepare to care for an aging parent’, or
‘How do I avoid burnout taking care of my aging parent?’
Join our course, Confident Caregiver Connection: A supportive resource hub, and discover empowering solutions to navigate these challenges.
Details coming soon!
#CaregiverSupport #LocalResources #AgingParents
My mom fell for the 3rd time in a span of about 6 months. When she got home from the hospital after the 3rd fall, with a concussion, split lip and two black eyes, I asked her what she wanted to do.
She said she wanted to live at a retirement community and in fact named the one that we ultimately moved her into.
Then it was up to me to figure out how she was going to pay for it.
I’d like to share with you my interview with my friend and colleague Joyce Blue as she shares her knowledge about one way to pay for care of an aging parent and that is through Long Term Care.
Then when you finish watching that, take a look at this document from a group that I belong to, Aging Connections, as it walks you through and explains options for seniors like home care, assisted living, hospice, etc.
Another resource you can look to for help in paying for care is the Veterans Administration. If your parent or your parent’s spouse was in the military and honorably discharged, you may be entitled to help. You can learn more here.
You can also pay for care from the assets from selling your parents real estate and contents.
Also, look into Medicaid or Medicare to see if that is an option.
The other smart thing to do, if your parent has not already, is to get council from an elder law attorney. They can help you to navigate around paying for care. While you are there it is also a good idea to ask about an estate plan for your parent, if they do not already have one in place.
Finally, do what I did when I asked my mom, ‘What do you want?, which is my abbreviated version of ‘the uncomfortable conversation.’
Find out what your parent wants as far as care – do they want to stay in their home, do they want to live in a community, do they want you to care for them, do they want to move in with a family member?
Once you know what they want, it’s time to think about what you want. Do you want to care for your parent? What will that look like for you? Will it be your parent living in your home? Will it be your parent living in a community?
These are big decisions to make. I’m happy to help you. I’ve helped many clients to help their aging parents while honoring themselves. You can click here to schedule your complimentary consultation.
🩷Coach Wendy
Most of our aging parents prefer to be self-reliant and contribute actively to their families, communities, and workplaces. However, as they reach their 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond, many of our aging parents eventually require some form of assistance. In such cases, it’s usually us, the adult children, who step in to provide the necessary care and support.
Assisting an aging parent can range from simple tasks like transportation and household chores to more complex responsibilities due to health-related issues. These challenges often arise from conditions such as dementia, chronic illnesses, falls, difficulty recovering from hospitalization, and the effects of just plain getting older.
I’ve seen many families struggle with these issues over the years, and in the beginning of taking care of my mom – I struggled with myself – which inspired me to create the “Caregiver Support and Resource Connection” online program. As part of this program, I’ve compiled a list of six key areas that family caregivers typically need to address when taking care of an aging parent.
Here are the six areas to be aware of when taking care of aging parents:
These areas often intersect and influence each other, making caring for an aging parent a complex endeavor. If you’re currently taking care of an aging parent, I hope this list proves helpful to you. It may seem overwhelming at first, but with persistence, you’ll navigate your way through it. Just remember to prioritize your self-care along the way. Which is why I’ve put that at #1 on the list.
If you’re facing challenges getting your aging parent to accept help, be sure to check out my free online training for effective methods to reduce conflicts and provide better care.
🩷Coach Wendy
At various times of the year, many of us are on the lookout for meaningful and helpful gifts for our elderly loved ones. I’ve put together an article featuring 4 products that I believe are particularly worth considering:
These are just some of the products and resources that my clients have access to, aiming to make their caregiving journey a bit easier.
“4 Helpful Products for Older Adults & Caregivers”
Jelly Drops: Can’t get your aging parent to drink water? These Jelly Drops entice older folks to eat them and this helps their water intake.
Amazon Echo Show: I should list this as number one because I love this device for communicating with my mom every day. We get to see each other on screen and she gets to play music, turn her television on and off, it tells her jokes and she enjoys the pictures I load onto it as a slideshow.
Joy for All: This is another product that I absolutely love and so does mom. After mom’s beloved cat passed away, my husband found this brand and purchased a ‘robot cat’ for mom. She loves it and best of all, she does not have to clean up the kitty litter!
Medisafe Medication Reminder – this is a product that I haven’t used but think should be mentioned. It’s actually an app that you can download that reminds you to take your medication. By the looks of it, it’s free.
While these suggestions cater to older adults in general, some are also useful for you. Win-win!
Let us know in the comments, which is your favorite? If you have a favorite product, please share that in the comments as well!
Wishing you and your loved ones a meaningful, joyful year full of celebrations!
🩷Coach Wendy
P.S. To be transparent, there are a few affiliate links listed above and I do receive some compensation.
#ElderlyGifts #CaregivingResources #SeniorCare #GiftIdeas #AgingWell #SeniorHealth
Since the holidays, have you been thinking and wondering about your aging parent?
Did you notice something that is bothering you? Like the unwashed dishes in the sink. Or maybe how your parent is just a little more withdrawn and quiet than they used to be.
There are a few signs to look out for when you visit your aging parent, 10 to be exact, and I’ve attached a PDF that covers them all right here. 10 Signs to Know When It’s Time to Care for Your Aging Parent.
Maybe you aren’t wondering at all and you know for a fact that your parent needs assistance. What do you do next?
It all begins with a conversation. With your parent(s), if possible. And you can also include their friends and neighbors – asking them what they’ve noticed. It can also include your family.
You can start the difficult conversation out by saying something like, “I have something that I’d like to talk with you about …….. can we talk?” If that person says yes, then you can say:
I feel (say what you are feeling)
I need (say what you need)
Then ask them – what do you need. And get quiet. Listen.
Give it a try and let us know in the comments how it goes!
🩷Coach Wendy
#Caregiver #AgingHealth #Relationships
Feeling overwhelmed and need guidance? Take a moment to reach out for help.
Whether through support groups or professional caregivers, there are options available to make this journey easier. You don’t have to do this alone. Give yourself the support you deserve and avoid burning yourself out.
Click here for the link to my website where you will find valuable resources. 🌼
🩷Coach Wendy
Feeling overwhelmed as you care for an aging parent? It’s okay to admit that it’s tough and that you’re trying too hard. You’re not alone in this journey.
Consider reaching out for support and join our Facebook Community “Taking Care of Business and Aging Parents.” Click here to take a look and join us!
Remember, it’s okay to let go of trying too hard and seek assistance. Your well-being matters too.
I’m writing a book!
I’ll be sharing some funny stuff that’s happened as I’ve been taking care of my mom for the past 12 years – seriously, you can’t make this stuff up – and it’s SO good to laugh.
And I’ll be sharing my insights, tips and resources that I’ve learned along the way.
If you are taking care of an aging parent or know it’s in your immediate future, what would you like to know?
I want to write a book that’s going to be helpful for you. So I’d love to know……..What do you want addressed in this book?
🩷Coach Wendy
Are you feeling overwhelmed and stressed out trying to navigate the challenges of caring for an aging parent? It’s okay to admit that it’s tough and that you’re trying too hard (as an overachiever, that’s how you are programmed). I want you to know that you’re not alone in this journey, and it’s important to remember that it’s okay to ask for help.
Instead of struggling on your own, why not take a moment to breathe and consider reaching out for support? Whether it’s finding local resources for your parent, figuring out the best care options, or simply needing some guidance on avoiding burnout, there are people and organizations out there ready to lend a helping hand.
People like the Facebook Community I’ve created, Taking Care of Business and Aging Parents. It’s a community of like minded people who are supporting each other with similar challenges. Check it out and join us. Here’s the link https://www.facebook.com/groups/275631841249637
Let’s take a step back and remind ourselves that it’s okay to let go of trying too hard. It’s okay to seek assistance and find ways to lighten the load. You deserve support, and your well-being matters too.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need some guidance, I encourage you to take a moment to reach out for help. Whether it’s through support groups, local organizations, or professional caregivers, there are options available to make this journey a little easier. You don’t have to do this alone. Take that step today and give yourself the support you deserve so that you avoid burning yourself out. Click here to visit my website for some valuable resources. 🌼
🩷Coach Wendy
#CaregiverSupport #YouAreNotAlone
Hey there! Are you feeling overwhelmed and stressed out trying to navigate the challenges of caring for an aging parent? It’s okay to admit that it’s tough and that you’re trying too hard. You’re not alone in this journey, and it’s important to remember that it’s okay to ask for help.
Instead of struggling on your own, why not take a moment to breathe and consider reaching out for support? Whether it’s finding local resources for your parent, figuring out the best care options, or simply needing some guidance on avoiding burnout, there are people and organizations out there ready to lend a helping hand.
Let’s take a step back and remind ourselves that it’s okay to let go of trying too hard. It’s okay to seek assistance and find ways to lighten the load. You deserve support, and your well-being matters too.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need some guidance, I encourage you to take a moment to reach out for help. Whether it’s through support groups, local organizations, or professional caregivers, there are options available to make this journey a little easier. You don’t have to do this alone. Take that step today and give yourself the support you deserve. Visit https://coach-wendy.com for some valuable resources.
#CaregiverSupport #YouAreNotAlone
