A Guide to Make a Caregiving Plan
Do you have a caregiving plan for your senior? Planning ahead is a necessary process in a caregiving journey.
This allows time to make appropriate decisions and be proactive instead of reactive to difficult situations. It also minimises uncertainty and financial strain, bringing you closer to a fulfilling life for you as a caregiver and your older adult.
To help you get started, here are 5 important steps to take when creating a caregiver plan.
1. Have the Conversation with Your Senior
It is important to talk with your older adult about ageing, a decline in their abilities, or the need for additional help. By having the conversation, you are able to realise your loved one’s wishes, and invite their participation and consent in making the plan. This way, figuring out the next steps for caregiving will be easy and the needs of the person receiving the care can be met.
2. Form Your Caregiving Team
Caregiving requires dedication and a lot of effort, too big of a job to be handled by one person. Therefore, it is crucial to reach out to friends, family and community resources for help. This can include collaboratively working with your family members for meal organising, financial assistance and house chores.
3. Make a Plan
After a thorough discussion with your senior and the caregiving team, you can start to build a plan. Make a checklist of goals and needs to be met and explore options available that can make the job manageable on a long term. Here are some goals and needs to consider:
<Goals>
- To remain healthy and active
- To stay or move near family
- To maintain hobbies
- To remain in my own home
- To move to a residence with support services
- To be financially secure and/or to budget for future needs
<Needs>
- Health care: monitoring symptoms, medical appointments, medication
- Communications: being informed of care, coordinating team visits, daily check-ins
- Socialisation: having visitors, arranging outings
- Adaptive Devices: ordering, paying bills online, using support devices
4. Find Support
Oftentimes a loved one’s needs can be complex, especially when health, emotional and financial issues are faced. This is when you may feel the need for extra support from an organisation or aged care agency.
Having a supportive professional team looking after your older adult can make it easier to deal with any difficult issues that may emerge during the care. A nurse or a social worker can assess your situation and help receive the appropriate assistance. If you are seeking help, reach out to Living Waters Aged Care!
5. Look After Yourself
Overwhelmed by responsibility of care, you may find yourself exhausted along the caregiving journey.
You need to advocate for yourself and recognise your emotions that arise while taking on the role as a caregiver. Allow yourself to take a break and tend to your own needs, including exercise, sleep and healthy eating. This will enable and empower you to provide better care for your loved one.
There’s comfort in knowing others are experiencing the same ups and downs as you, and there are people willing to help you and your senior.
Living Waters Aged Care is a home care agency that provides compassionate care and personalised care that suits every client’s needs.
Contact us and find services and support available to you right now.
