CAREGIVING TIPS FOR CHILDREN OF SENIORS

If we are lucky, many of us have parents that live well into advanced age. While having them around to guide you, your children, and potentially even your grandchildren can present a wonderful opportunity, it can also result in unexpected challenges, like transitioning into being your parent’s caregiver. This can be an awkward, frustrating experience, as we tend to still think of our parents as being our caregivers, not the other way around. But caring for your parents as they reach old age can be an incredibly rewarding way to give back to those who helped you grow and thrive. If you are feeling out of your depth, don’t worry, because we are here to help. Keep reading to allow the team at Liberty Ridge Senior Living to provide you with a few caregiving tips for children of seniors near Fayette County, KY.

Tip #1- Do Your Research

The best way to tackle nearly any problem is to stay informed, and this is doubly important when taking care of someone. Particularly if your loved one is dealing with a particular illness or disorder, research can be a great way to make you feel better prepared to help them in the way that they need. Not only can research provide you with information to help you better understand the condition of your parent or loved one, but it can also be a great way to find other caregiving tips to help make your job easier. In addition to doing your own research, you should always maintain a line of communication with both your loved one and their healthcare providers so that everyone is on the same page about your parent’s needs.

Tip #2- Get Proper Rest

Caregiving can be incredibly fulfilling, but it can also be deeply tiring, especially if you have other responsibilities to attend to, like working or childrearing. Because of this, one of our most important caregiving tips is to, paradoxically, make sure that you are taking care of yourself in addition to taking care of your parent. You won’t be able to provide them with the care they need if you are burnt out or exhausted, so be sure to rest when you need to, take care of your own health, and acknowledge the limits of your abilities.

Tip #3- Know When To Call In A Professional

While many people may work with the elderly or work in healthcare, there is a good chance that you are not a healthcare provider who specializes in geriatric care. Because of this, the most important of our caregiving tips is to acknowledge when your parent’s needs require more than you can provide. This isn’t a cause for guilt or regret; rather, this is a time to put your loved one’s needs before your own and to move them to a place where they can be properly cared for, like an assisted living or memory care community.

To learn more caregiving tips for children of seniors near Fayette County, KY, contact Liberty Ridge Senior Living today. We are conveniently located in Lexington, KY, but we also proudly serve all of Fayette County.