Knowledge is power, so they say, but many adult children of aging parents discover they have very little knowledge to help them make decisions about their mother or father’s care. If their parents have planned ahead, at least they have a roadmap. But if Mom and Dad haven’t made any decisions about their long term care, adult children – particularly those who find themselves thrust into the caregiver role – often are at a loss as to how to find appropriate information.
“There really isn’t a roadmap of how to find good help when you become a caregiver for an older adult,” says Michelle Pelham, Executive Director at Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua, a memory care assisted living community in Nashua, NH. “Even though we understand that many of us will end up in this situation eventually, it still doesn’t make it any easier when we’re faced with the reality.”
“There are many moving parts when it comes to caregiving,” Michelle says. “So it’s important for caregivers to find good resources that help them reduce their workload and take some of the weight off their shoulders.”
A great place to start, says Michelle, is to check with nearby senior living communities.
“You may not realize this, but senior living communities can be your first line of defense when it comes to getting support, education and resources during your caregiving journey,” she says. “At Bridges by EPOCH at Nashua, for example, we focus on helping caregivers of any type – whether or not their loved ones are residents in our community. Most of us in the senior living space understand and appreciate the important work you’re doing as a caregiver. We make it our mission to help you out as much as we possibly can. Bridges currently offers a variety of virtual education sessions and a monthly online support group to help those who are caring for a loved one connect with the information they need. Our Senior Advisor can help to get you set up with those sessions.”
Getting Started: The Caregiver Edition
If you find yourself wondering where to start, take a deep breath: you’re not alone. There’s no one-stop-shop for caregivers to visit when they find themselves in this situation. That means caregivers often find themselves searching the Internet for answers such as how can I help Mom pay her bills or how can I find reliable in-home help and many other questions. Obviously, there are no simple answers to any of these questions, but there are some good ways to start finding answers.
Here are some suggestions for places to get the information and answers you need – other than Bridges® by EPOCH – if you find yourself in a caregiving role.
Reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging.
The Area Agency on Aging network is made up of hundreds of agencies across the nation that specialize in connecting seniors and their families with local services and programs. These Agencies were created by the Older Americans Act (a Federal law) and support services such as adult day care, senior centers and Meals on Wheels – all programs that are low cost or free to qualifying individuals. They also are excellent resources for information such as home care, respite care, public and private services, assisted living and more. Visit the national website or call 1-800-677-1116 to find an Agency on Aging in your area.
Look into benefits offered by your employer.
Do you work for a large or medium-sized company? If so, you may have access to eldercare resources and information through your employer. Often, employees at these larger companies can access information through an internal website or via HR/ER and gain a wealth of caregiving information. You may also have the option of speaking with an eldercare coordinator who can assist in answering questions, thinking through solutions and providing a list of local resources. Check with your HR department to see what benefits, if any, may be available to you.
Hire a care manager.
Geriatric care managers are specialized service providers – usually a nurse or social worker – who can assist families with arranging needs and resources for their senior loved one. Generally, a care manager will do an in-home assessment of the senior, and then meet with family members to arrange and put in place a care plan. Depending on the situation, families may want the care manager to take a more hands-on approach and handle the day-to-day dealings of caring for their senior loved one. Care managers serve as on-site experts who can help with health insurance issues, handling crises, solving problems and monitoring care. To find a registered care manager in your area, contact your local Aging Life Care Association (ALCA).
Look into caregiver websites.
The Internet is an amazing tool – and, no surprise, there are a countless number of websites that focus on caregiving support. There are websites and advice for just about everything you can think of, from benefits to legal documents to memory care options and private caregivers and more. Many even have assistance and chat rooms that can serve as virtual support groups for caregivers, allowing them to normalize their experiences and get first-hand advice and understanding from those who have been there before. Some have chat rooms that function as virtual support groups so caregivers can share their experiences. Check out AARP’s website for more information, or the Family Caregiver Alliance website. At the very least, google “caregiving” to find a myriad of helpful websites.
Hire an expert.
There are lots of financial and legal issues that arise when a caregiver steps into play. While many adult children start out being concerned about the safety and health of their parents, they quickly discover that the legal and financial aspects of caregiving are very important, too. In a perfect world, Mom and Dad have already put everything in place in order to streamline the handing-over of power and decision-making. However, that’s not always the case. No matter the situation, hiring a financial professional who has experience in eldercare can help you review care options and cost implications, as well as provide solutions and strategies to stretch your parents’ nest eggs and provide the best possible care moving forward.
“The most important thing to remember is that you’re not alone, whether you’re new to the caregiving role or have been doing it for a long time,” says Michelle. “There are so many people on your side who are rooting for you – all you need to do is reach out a hand, and we’ll be there to help you through your journey.”
A Fulfilling Lifestyle
Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua provides expert memory care within an assisted living environment that is comfortable, positive and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community offers a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity, independence and fulfilment in daily life.
Dedicated Memory Care
Our programs, care and services are all designed to celebrate our residents’ lives and support each resident’s individual strengths and abilities. No matter what stage of memory loss a resident may be experiencing, our memory care professionals work to maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents every day.
Stunning, Purpose-Built Design
Featuring a stunning, purposeful design, Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua is so much more than a beautiful place to live . . . It’s a community focused on enriching the lives of our residents and helping their families enjoy meaningful relationships with them. Our evidence-based design features, including soft paint colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations, provide a soothing and easy-to-navigate environment.
Contact us today to learn more.