Post by troyhather on Apr 5, 2018 16:38:46 GMT -5
Informal Arrangements
There may be chores that can be done by friends, family, neighbors, or faith group members. Simple tasks include preparing meals, providing rides, helping with grocery shopping or laundry, providing reassuring phone calls, and companionship for your relative. Local senior centers or colleges often have programs for community volunteers. Websites such as LotsaHelpingHands.com (link is external) provide password-protected sites to help you schedule help and keep family and friends notified of your loved one's condition.
A family meeting can be very helpful in discussing more complicated medical and legal issues. Identifying needs, sharing concerns, and delegating tasks should be done in an open, supportive environment where family members can identify potential solutions together. The meeting can be held in-person, by phone, or by video conference.
To work through certain family dynamics or conflicts, it's often helpful to involve a person outside the family. A social worker, geriatric care manager, or other professional skilled in group interaction and family dynamics can be hired to help the family and caregiver make a care plan and, if needed, help with care arrangements and monitoring. This may be especially useful if your ill parent lives far from you.
There may be chores that can be done by friends, family, neighbors, or faith group members. Simple tasks include preparing meals, providing rides, helping with grocery shopping or laundry, providing reassuring phone calls, and companionship for your relative. Local senior centers or colleges often have programs for community volunteers. Websites such as LotsaHelpingHands.com (link is external) provide password-protected sites to help you schedule help and keep family and friends notified of your loved one's condition.
A family meeting can be very helpful in discussing more complicated medical and legal issues. Identifying needs, sharing concerns, and delegating tasks should be done in an open, supportive environment where family members can identify potential solutions together. The meeting can be held in-person, by phone, or by video conference.
To work through certain family dynamics or conflicts, it's often helpful to involve a person outside the family. A social worker, geriatric care manager, or other professional skilled in group interaction and family dynamics can be hired to help the family and caregiver make a care plan and, if needed, help with care arrangements and monitoring. This may be especially useful if your ill parent lives far from you.