January tends to be one of the busiest times of the year for senior care companies. It’s often said that January is the busiest time of the year for wedding planners because so many people get engaged over the holidays, and senior care services are busy for very similar reasons. The holidays are a special time where families come together and this can make a surprise proposal all the more meaningful. Well, when families come together like this, they often see a side of their elderly loved ones that they hadn’t noticed before. “Mom has aged a lot since the last time we saw her, do you think maybe she needs some help?” Or, “I can’t believe how much older Dad looks since we saw him back in July! Should we do something?”
These conversations are good. They show that we are paying attention to the people that we love. Yes, they can bring up feelings of guilt for not noticing these things earlier, but that’s usually not your fault. These feelings, rather than being seen as a failure on your behalf, should be used to spur you to action and ensure that the people you love are getting the help that they need.
Changes are not always a sign that care is needed, but they can be a precursor to this. The best way to proceed is to talk to your parents about what’s going on in their life. Allow them to be honest with you, including their feelings about senior care. Most people are against receiving care when they are at this stage–and that’s okay. They might not even need care, and no one wants to give up their independence. But the sooner this conversation begins, the better. It can also be helpful to speak with a doctor so that you have a better understanding of what your mom’s medical needs are and what the best way to meet those needs will be moving forward.
Perhaps you have found yourself in a similar situation. You spent the holidays with your family and you noticed that mom and dad aren’t quite the same as they used to be. This isn’t an immediate reason to panic, but it can be a call to action. Luckily, you have a lot of choices in front of you. Start by looking at what’s available in your parent’s community. If you’re unsure of where to start, give their county’s Senior Services Department (or the local equivalent) a call. They can help point you toward the right direction.
And if you do live in the San Francisco/Bay Area, you can always rely on us to be a help. One of our trained caregivers can meet with you and your parents and let you know what we do. Our in-home care team has some of the best professional caregivers in the area, and our consultations are completely free and put you under no obligation. Think of it as an educational session. The hope is that you will come out with a better understanding of your loved one’s needs and a better sense of how those needs can be met.
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