In Some Cases, Children Must Take On Role of Parent for Elderly Well Being

According to the Pennsylvania Care Planning Council, many adults, who as children received counsel and wisdom from their parents, are now facing concerns about their aging parents and what will be needed as their health and mental abilities fail.
In an article on carepennsylvania.org, while some children who live miles from elderly parents may call often to check up, it might be time to have a face-to-face visit, to see for yourself that all is well.
The article states assuming that all is well and that your elderly family member knows and does what is best for them, may be putting them at risk. The article suggests becoming a partner with them in care and forming that partnership before a crisis occurs.
The council suggests sitting with your parents and asking questions like: What are your concerns for the future? Do you want to remain in your home? Are you worried about losing your independence? You also need to know what legal and financial arrangements are in place.
Another good way to assess their needs is to acompany them on a doctor visit.
The National Care Planning Council’s book “The 4 Steps of Long Term Care Planning” gives a list of most common services family care givers will provide for their parents:
• Walking, lifting, and bathing
• Using the bathroom and with incontinence
• Providing pain management
• Preventing unsafe behavior and preventing wandering
• Providing comfort and assurance or arranging for professional counseling
• Feeding
• Answering the phone
• Making arrangements for therapy, meeting medical needs, and doctor
appointments
• Providing meals
• Maintaining the household
• Shopping and running errands
• Providing transportation
• Administering medications
• Managing money and paying bills
• Doing the laundry
• Attending to personal hygiene and personal grooming
• Writing letters or notes
• Making repairs to the home, maintaining a yard