Tips When Considering Care for a Loved One

If you’re considering seeking elderly care to look after a loved one or wish to become a caregiver yourself, but wonder about what things you would need to be aware of, learn from Heather.

Heather has devoted herself to becoming a full-time caregiver

looking after her own mother. Heather recorded a special video message, sharing her insights, for all of us here at Home Instead Wandsworth, Lambeth & Dulwich and beyond.

Here, we’ve broken down some of the key things Heather focused on and which helped her to care for her mother.

Lasting power of attorney

Setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney was one of Heather’s key points, as this is an administrative aspect of elderly care which has a massive impact on how care can be carried out. It might not prove to be necessary immediately, but Heather believes when it is required, there must be no delays in having it all prepared for you.

Joint bank account

Heather extolled the value of having a joint bank account, as she saw tangible benefits, after setting up one to share with her mother. Having been recommended to do so by a close friend, Heather claims these can help keep finances of your loved one separate, allowing you to use them transparently on their behalf, in a way that’s secure and easy too.

Applying for the benefits you’re entitled to

If your loved one has a condition that limits mobility, a blue badge allows you to park closer to destinations, if they are disabled in some way. In addition, it’s always important to make sure you are in the know about what benefits you might be entitled to, as a caregiver.

In Heather’s case, her mother was entitled to an attendance allowance, and she successfully sought a carer’s allowance for herself. Access to these benefits allows Heather and her mother to receive the support they both need.

Watching out for Urinary Tract Infection

Heather pointed out the importance of being on the lookout for medical conditions that might arise for your loved one, such as Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). These infections can be common in elderly people, and it can be easy to simply not notice them, especially if your loved one is already suffering from a diagnosed condition.

Symptoms to spot for signs of possible UTIs include frequent shaking, chills, difficulty going to the toilet, and pain in the back or lower abdomen.

Having a good wheelchair or other tools

Access to equipment such as a suitable wheelchair is crucial for elderly care, according to Heather. Unfortunately, the NHS is unable to provide this sort of equipment for elderly patients in and out of care. You can seek good wheelchairs and other useful equipment, such as stools, frames or other aids from your local GP or from social services.

If you know what the recipient of care needs, you can order these items and they can arrive in just a few short days, helping dramatically improve the quality of care that can be given.

Questioning your own assumptions

Heather remarked about how important it is to avoid being stuck in an old mindset, especially when thinking about providing care for your parents. It can be easy to have a fixed idea about what elderly people have preferences for, but there’s a good chance that your parent would still continue to surprise you, by being able to show evolving tastes for things, whether that’s music, or other activities that they have a passion for, for example.

Taking opportunities to change things for the better

Elderly care can often throw curveballs your way, but a mini-crisis doesn’t have to be the driver for things to change, when you provide care for a loved one. You just need to keep an eye out for opportunities to make improvements to the situation, and find the right time to implement them, to make transitions from one way of doing things to another as smooth as possible for all those involved.

Aim for best care that you can afford

When seeking care for a loved one, it’s important to see what the best care money can buy for you. This guarantees that you are paying for a service that you can rely on, rather than a second-rate attempt that leaves recipients of care in a worse state than before. Higher-quality care ensures greater supervision and systems to be in place, so there will be no major issues for any reason.

Recognise impact the care has on you

Something that can be easily overlooked can be the direct impact caring on someone can have on you yourself. Heather explained that things like organising care packages and keeping on top of appointments can actually be very time-consuming, leaving you very in-demand.

In order to cope with the increased pressures this will involve, Heather highlighted the importance being able to put some time aside to have short break, so you can look after yourself, and be strong enough to look after others.

Maintain the bonds with your loved ones

Being a carer for your own parent makes it more important for you to maintain a strong bond with them as time progresses. In Heather’s view, it is all about being mindful of the legacy of the underlying relationship you share with your parents, and being able to build on these solid foundations to ensure that your loved one is being cared for in the way required of you.

For more information about the caregiver services we provide at Home Instead Wandsworth, Lambeth & Dulwich, call us on 020 8022 5236 today.

A caregiver helps an elderly woman sit up in bed in a cozy room, with papers and a chair nearby. - Home Instead