Be a Better Caregiver: Tips for Senior Advocacy

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Be a Better Caregiver: Tips for Senior Advocacy

Trusting someone you love into the care of somebody else is never easy, especially for a senior family member. Whether at home or in a facility, you will have questions you need answered. You’ll also want to be ready to advocate for the older adult to proactively address issues and immediately resolve problems that do take place. This will help you to be a better caregiver and support system for the senior.

For instance, review the following typical situations and how to most effectively advocate should they develop with an older adult you love:

  • You live at a distance. Thanks to technology, it’s easier than ever to remain close to a long-distance relative and also to keep a finger on the pulse of how things are going. FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype with the older adult frequently to check in. If a family portal is available for the care provider and family members to share notes and comments, make full use of this communication tool. And if you’re not able to visit in person, ask a friend or other family member who lives close by to drop in regularly.
  • Your loved one has Alzheimer's. A loved one with Alzheimer's might not be able to effectively communicate their wishes and needs. For example, a new caregiver might not realize that Dad wears inserts in his shoes and she may put his shoes on in the morning without them. Dad may not know how to communicate this need or could have forgotten about this need and be uncomfortable that day. Or he may act out because he could be experiencing discomfort, which may lead to other issues. As the senior’s voice, be sure to share even the littlest details about the person’s preferences with the care provider.
  • You are concerned about challenging behaviors. If the senior is susceptible to aggression, wandering, angry outbursts, hoarding, or any one of an array of other difficult behaviors, you could feel ashamed or embarrassed. Though you may prefer not to talk about the issue, it is best to share this openly with the care provider. More likely than not, they will have knowledge about successfully working with an array of personalities and personal nuances, and will be able to include strategies which will work most effectively with your loved one.

Amy’s Helping Hands, the leading Windsor, Ontario home care provider partners with families, working together to guarantee the highest quality of care and life for older adults, through award-winning personalized services such as:

  • Meal planning and preparation
  • Running errands
  • Light housekeeping and laundry
  • Personal care for safe baths/showers, getting dressed, etc.
  • Companionship for fun activities and conversations
  • Transportation and accompaniment
  • And more

Reach out to us at 519.915.4370 for an in-home consultation to allow us to get to know one another and to develop a care plan to best meet the needs of a senior you love.

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