Tips on care planning for ageing parents

All too often, conversations revolving around long-term care and caregiving preferences happen too late, if at all. When preparing and establishing care plans for ageing parents, it's vital to approach the process comprehensively and with your loved one's wishes in mind.

The importance of thorough organization in care-planning cannot be ignored. Creating a book filled with important paperwork, goals and schedules is a vital part of this process. When preparing for caregiving responsibilities, issues including housing and medical needs, financial plans, preferences regarding everyday living and helpful services and resources must be addressed.

• Before housing is decided upon , it's an excellent idea to look at the variety of housing facilities located within your community.
• Take into consideration the types of amenities and living costs associated with each option.

• When planning ahead, make sure to jot down the names and numbers of your parents' physicians, current diagnoses, medications and scheduled appointments.
• Creating a medication chart and appointment schedule is a necessary step in monitoring and maintaining their health.

• Sit down with your parents to review bills, loans, bank accounts, investments, tax documents and important financial records to establish a budget and ensure that expenses aren't neglected.
• Considering legal processes -- such as assigning a Power of Attorney -- is a critical step.

1. Keep in mind the importance of daily routines and habits that are so individualized in terms of unique preferences. Make sure to ask your loved ones about these factors in order to maximize their comfort should they lose the ability to voice their preferences in the future. Questions may include:
2. At what temperature do they keep the house thermostat?

• What foods do they love and detest?
• How do they take their coffee?
• What time do they like to go to bed?

These everyday details are critical to maintaining their individualism and overall well-being.

• Utilising community resources and the services they provide is a necessary step in helping an ageing loved one.
• Several programs exist that are aimed at improving the quality of life for elders, such as food assistance services, home energy assistance, transportation assistance, family caregiver support programs and in-home health services.

In order to give your ageing parents the quality of care and quality of life they deserve, you must keep their preferences in the forefront at all times.

• Caregivers are often tempted to make decisions based on what they assume is best for their loved ones, but respecting their autonomy is the foundation of the caregiving process.
• Ask your parents what they want, and truly listen to and support those wishes.