Things You'll Need:
- Yellow Pages
- Telephones
- Support Groups
-
Step 1
Find a trusted caregiver - be it a friend, relative, visiting nurse, respite worker or other professional - for in-home care.
-
Step 2
Encourage the caregiver to speak with physicians, social workers and other professionals who can explain the elder's specific medical, emotional and physical needs.
-
Step 3
Have friends, family members and neighbors periodically check on the elderly person. Local organizations (visiting nurses or Alzheimer's associations) may also have people who can visit to make sure that everything is all right.
-
Step 4
Avoid overwhelming or overworking the caregiver. Leave financial and legal issues, such as paying bills and writing a will, to experts in those fields.
-
Step 5
Help a caregiver express his or her anger or frustration in a way that doesn't hurt the elderly person if you suspect the potential for abuse.
-
Step 6
Offer to help the caregiver find a support group.
-
Step 7
Consider attending a support group with the caregiver if he or she is amenable.
-
Step 8
Consider enrolling the elderly person at a reputable adult day-care center, nursing or retirement home, or another institution serviced by professional social workers and doctors.
Comments
ilivetoteach said
on 2/20/2009 It sounds like we've all had the same experience. I went through the same thing with my aunt. Good advice. *5
kristi71 said
on 6/20/2008 Not only is finding what fits your situation and pocketbook difficult, so is trusting someone you don’t know to take care of your loved ones. Whether it is a disabled child, elderly adult, or someone just coming out of the hospital, we all know of someone that needs just a little extra help. Not always can we be there for them 24 hours a day. But I have found ResponseLINK, and they make it possible to have the 24 hour security that is needed. With 24 hour a day emergency response, voice to voice audio, live operator assistance when the button is activated, meal and prescription reminders this has taken a lot of stress off of my home life! If you haven’t yet checked into emergency medical alerts, here is the link www.ResponseLINK.com.
InMaryland said
on 4/10/2007 My foster mother just passed away and she had a power of attorney. When she first got real sick and went into the nursing home the Power of Attorney had her sign papers, etc. that she told me she did not know what they were. She was very confused and put her trust in the Power of Attorney. She left her house in trust for her great grandson, and lifetime rights to her elderly brother. Since she passed away, the Power of Attorney is trying to "snuff" out her brother from the house. He claims that the brother doesn't have the finances to pay the bills there. He even went and cut off the Utilities there at the home. Now the brother has to pay big re-connect fees, etc. Someone needs to look out for the elderly!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Currently I am in a legal battle that has been going on for two years. A neighbor and a caregiver, together, set out to exploit my mentally ill father while I was in the hospital. Prior to my hospitalization, I had complete control over the caregiver. My being absent gave these people the perfect opportunity to start working on my mentally ill father (severe dementia). They gained his trust and confidence, and soon took my father to their attorney to disown my brother and I from his 10 million dollar estate. I am disabled also, and I have no money for an attorney.
Constantly maintain your parents checkbook. Make sure their caregiver follows any checklists that you provide. Don't let your guard down. Make sure your parents do not start giving the caregiver gifts.