DIY Senior Care

Answer 1

Senior care savings!

Before using the hard earned savings of aging parents on a costly residential care facility consider the listed suggestions for DIY senior care at home.

House Calls

Make an appointment with the parent’s doctor to get a thorough understanding of his physical and mental health. Share you concerns about the parent’s ability to live independently with the doctor, and ask for her advice on what level of daily care is appropriate at this time for your parent.

Home Alone

Get professional assistance. Hire a retired nurse, emergency medical technician (EMT), or similar medical professional to care for the senior at home.

Check with state agencies for homecare providers that assist seniors with errands, housekeeping, and transportation. Enroll seniors who meet state income qualifications in meals-on-wheels programs.

Contract with an on-call medical alert provider that responds to medical emergencies--like falling and can’t get up.

Relativity

Ask family members to assist in the care of seniors who can live independently with minimal care. Have a plan that includes telephone calls, regular visits, and wellness checks to the senior.

Enlist older grandchildren to help grandparents with house cleaning, running errands, and accompanying them to church and other activities.

Ask family members to make note of unusual behavior, a change in appearance, or personality changes with the senior. Share this information with other caregivers and the senior’s physician.

Senior Moment

Support elderly parents with activities and companionship. Ward off depression and other age related maladies by keeping the senior engaged in life.

Encourage parents to participate in senior day care programs, senior centers, church, and other hobbies. These activities help seniors to stay mentally alert and physically active; helping them to extend their savings with more years of independent living.