Although caregiving probably isn’t on top of your priorities right now, there will come a time when you’ll see yourself in that position as you need to take care of your aging parents. Caregiving involves a lot of responsibilities, ranging from bathing and dressing your loved ones to reminding them to take their medicines.
Of course, one of your best options is to work with experts in senior home health care services in Nashville. But there are times when you just have to do things on your own. When that happens, it’s best to know the things that you should do to take care of your loved ones properly. Keep the following things in mind.
Think carefully about your decisions involving them
If you’re planning to take care of your loved ones full-time, it’s best to think about it carefully before making it a reality. Think about the consequences of leaving your work and the damage that it could bring to your retirement savings.
Bear in mind that not only will you lose your current income, but it will also bring down your retirement savings. You should also ask yourself if your job skills would be adequate for employers to hire you later on after you’ve stopped working for several years.
Learn how to communicate with them
Have constant communication with your aging parents. Be direct but sound positive when talking to them. Doing so will help you take care of them especially if they have problems affecting their cognitive skills.
You should also limit their choices to avoid confusion. For example, instead of asking an open-ended question, you can give them two options instead. This will make it much easier for them to choose.
You should establish eye contact when communicating with them, too. You may also hold their hand to encourage them to talk.
Know how to help them with bathing and dressing
You’ll spend a huge part of your time helping them with their daily activities, such as bathing and getting dressed. So, you need to learn these things to help you get ready. Simple things like helping them comb their hair, wearing clean clothes, or putting on perfume can help them feel good about themselves.
You can help them wear comfortable clothes with an elastic waistband to make it easier for them to do it themselves. If they find it difficult to brush their teeth after meals, encourage them to rinse with water or use mouthwash instead.
You can also use a sturdy shower chair and a hand-held showerhead to bathe them. Doing so reduces any chances of slipping. You can also wash their hair in the sink using a hose to make it much easier to clean them.
Caregiving can take a lot of your time and effort. This is why most people often choose to work with senior care services to help them take care of their loved ones. Choose a health service that’s near your area so it will be much easier for them to visit your loved one daily.