Our guide to caring for elderly relatives

Mums Tips

Fitness & Health

Published on Friday, 01 November 2019 12:56

Last Updated on 24 April 2023

Monica Costa

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Caring for an elderly relative yourself can put a strain on a relationship, but it can also put strain on the family. But what about care options such as affordable care homes in London services or other homes in the surrounding area you can ensure your elderly relative is safe at all times whilst reconciling the relationship you have with them. In this article, we will be providing you with our simple guide to caring for the older members of your family.

Involve Them In The Conversation

When discussing how best to care for an elderly relative, it is important to include them in the conversation. After all, it is their life you are helping to organise. Whether this is a conversation about the future of the house should they need to be moved or the possibility of moving them into a care home, it is important to approach the situation with sensitivity and compassion to ensure the best possible outcome for everyone involved.

Understand Care Options Available

The next step is assessing which style of care your relative needs. Whether this is home care to help with daily tasks or opting for a care home, these each provide a number of different care types to suit different needs.

Home Care – Home care is the process of having people visit the home of your elderly relative and help them to complete daily tasks. Whether this is changing the bed, making dinner or basic cleaning, they are on hand to help with the basic tasks. Depending on the home care service that you use, it is very likely that different carers will care for your loved ones at some point or another. While this once would’ve been a challenge, with technological advancements and being able to update progress notes after every visit, that can be accessed by others, the professional will be able to continue providing high-quality care to your family member at all times.

Care Homes – This is a residential home for your loved one that provides them with 24/7 care. With a number of care homes providing a combination of standard and specialist care, this is the perfect option for those that cannot look after themselves. Whether this is because they need help to go to the toilet or because they have problems moving around on their own, this can provide the level of care they need to be safe at all times.

Specialist Housing – This allows elderly residents to live independently but still provide them with the care that they need during the day.

Home Adaptations – The final option when looking to care for your elderly relative is home adaptations. This is the process of changing elements in the home and adding a handrail to make daily life that little bit easier.

Be Realistic About What Is Needed

Though it may seem tempting to shy away from the issue at hand, it is important, to be honest as well as realistic about what your relative is able to do and what they are not. Though this can be difficult for you to admit at first, it is important, to be honest about the care that is required as this will help you to choose the right option for your relative. Whether this is moving them into a care home or opting for at-home carers this can all aid in the process.

Keep Communication Frequent

Though it may seem tempting to ensure everything is completed behind closed doors, it is important to keep communication as frequent as possible. Whether this is with other members of the family or between you and your elderly relative this can help to make the process move forward as smoothly as possible.

With this in mind, there are a number of care options in place to help you and your elderly relative ensure that they are safe and happy, regardless of the care option that they opt for.