According to one study, about 17% of people take care of their aging parents.
If you suddenly find yourself taking care of your elderly parents, then you might be wondering how to start.
Thankfully, we’re here to help you learn how to become a senior caregiver. Keep reading to find the perfect caregivers guide.
Figure Out Where They’ll Live
First, you’ll need to figure out where your parents will live. Are they going to live in their own home with you taking care of them? Do you need to hire someone else to take care of them?
Or are you going to move them into an assisted living facility? Many people can’t do this because they can’t afford to.
However, there may even be safety and health concerns that prevent your parents from being able to stay in their own home. You should consider their health and independence when trying to figure out where they should live.
Take Care of the Financials
Maybe they have enough money that can pay for an assisted living on their own. Either way, you should make sure that you take care of their financials if they’re unable to.
You should also look into supplemental security income, social security disability insurance, and any veterans benefits if it’s applicable.
You should also look into retirement and insurance plans. Do they have disability coverage, life insurance, or pension benefits? Some of that money could be used to cover mental and physical health services!
Make Sure They’re Safe
You’ll also have to make sure that they’re safe. If they have any medical conditions, like osteoporosis, they face a higher risk of taking a fall.
if they have dementia, they could wander off or forget to do something like turn off the stove. If you’re going to keep them in their home, you may want to invest in a room monitor for elderly parents.
You should also talk to their doctor and talk about what you can do to help reduce any injuries. You may want to get a shower bar or even a GPS device that they can wear in case they wander away.
Research Medicare/Medicaid
Lastly, research Medicaid and Medicare. By using these two plans, you can help your parents find healthcare coverage that will cover all of their medical bills.
In some cases, Medicaid can even help cover long-term care for your parents as well. However, Medicare will only cover short-term nursing homestays.
Learn More About How to Take Care of Your Aging Parents
These are only a few things to keep in mind when taking care of your aging parents, but there are many more things to consider.
We know that becoming a senior caregiver can be stressful, but we’re here to help you out.
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