Friday, August 10, 2012

Elder Care Help: How to Discuss Your Parent's Healthcare

StethoscopeLast week we spoke about the importance of becoming involved in your parents? healthcare as they age. But how do you know when it is the right time to step in and take an active role in your elder?s healthcare. What?s more, where do you begin? Bass Eldercare is here to provide elder care help.

When Should You Get Involved in Your Parent?s Healthcare?

The answer to the question above is highly varied depending on your family dynamic and individual circumstances, but there are a few situations in which any adult child should step in and discuss healthcare with his or her parent.

  • After a Medical Emergency ? Whether it?s a bad fall or a heart attack, any medical emergency is both scary and eye opening for elder care givers. Even if this is an isolated incident and you and your elder don?t feel quite ready for long term care planning, this is the prime time to sit down and have an open discussion with your parent about his or her healthcare. Honestly talk about any concerns you may have and develop a contingency plan should any other medical emergencies occur in the future.
  • After a Spouse has Passed Away ? A spouse is typically a sounding board in the decision making process for every aspect of life. When your elder?s spouse passes on, your elder caregiving responsibilities will increase, including taking a more active role in your parent?s healthcare. This is a difficult time for both you and your elder, so be sure to ask for elder care help when you need it to avoid burn out.
  • When an Elder Moves to Assisted Living ? When you and your elder are discussing a potential move to assisted living, make sure that his or her health care is a prominent talking point. Along with the community feel, elder care help with daily health care activities is often a deciding factor for the move. Aside from top notch health care assistance, you will want to make sure that you choose a reputable facility where your elder feels comfortable and at home.

Where Do You Start?

No matter the reason for elder care givers becoming involved in their parent?s healthcare, the process should always begin with a candid discussion. Both you and your elder should raise any specific healthcare concerns you may have. Ask your elder if he or she would be comfortable with the two of you talking to his or her doctor together to ensure that you have a full idea of the state of your elder?s healthcare. Next, you should talk about his or her insurance. Finally, develop a plan for medical emergencies ? who are the emergency contacts, is a system such as Life Alert necessary, etc.

Taking a role in your parent?s healthcare can be awkward and confusing, but it becomes crucial as he or she ages. For elder care help on healthcare and more, contact us or consult our resources for caregivers.


Source: http://basseldercare.com/article/care-help-how-to-discuss-your-parent%E2%80%99s-healthcare/

aladdin black forest ufc 144 fight card ufc 144 results acura nsx all star weekend 2012 giada de laurentiis

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.