Thank you very much to all who sponsored my fourth A Walk to Believe this month -- it was a big success in raising much-needed funding for spinal cord research and you helped recognize me as the top fundraiser once again!
Ron Gold, who founded LeanOnWe in 2015 after a tragic bicycling accident left him permanently paralyzed, became a Doctor of Humane Letters at Monmouth College's 2019 commencement.
Whether you stepped in to help an elderly relative out of love, a sense of responsibility, or financial necessity, caregiving can sometimes feel like a burden – even for the most devoted family members. What frequently starts as a small role, perhaps doing some grocery shopping or cleaning, often becomes much more demanding over time.
Providing safe transportation is one of the first challenges many families encounter when a senior chooses to age in place. Even if your aging parent can prepare meals and keep up with basic household chores, he may no longer be able to drive safely.
If you live far away and are busy juggling your own career and family, it can be difficult to care for an aging parent. Whether your parent needs help with laundry and errands a few times a week or requires daily care, you’ll want to find an experienced caregiver you can trust. Successfully managing a long-distance relationship with this person can mean the difference between a good night’s sleep and endless worrying.
If you care for an aging parent, you’ve probably put considerable effort into making sure her home is safe and she has appropriate medical care. You may also keep an eye on her nutrition and help her get some exercise. Of course you want to provide whatever she needs to be as healthy as possible. But have you thought about touch?
Whatever your needs, there’s an in-home caregiver that’s right for your family. But finding that person depends on clearly understanding your aging parent’s condition or disease, and defining the specific care he requires. For instance, in addition to specific daily care skills, Alzheimer’s caregivers should possess an extra dose of patience and compassion.
Before you begin interviewing Alzheimer’s caregivers, here’s what you should know:
The medical, legal, and financial aspects of providing long-term care for an aging parent can be daunting. Over time, you may need to manage care costs that can easily exceed $50,000 a year, as well as make difficult medical and legal choices for your parent.
Maybe you’ve noticed that mom or dad is “starting to slip.” Or maybe they’ve had a health scare: a fall that didn’t break a hip, or flu that didn’t become pneumonia. Take a moment to breathe a sigh of relief. Then get ready to start planning for the future.
Spend a little extra time this season to show your appreciation with a thoughtful gift to thank your caregiver for all they’ve done for you or your parents or your child.
