Care Options for Older Family Members

Decisions surrounding care for an elderly family member can be emotionally challenging for everyone involved. For sons, daughters or grandchildren who feel unable to take on or continue caring for their relatives, it can be a time fraught with guilt and worry. For those they care for, it signals a major life change that can be difficult to cope with.

As people age, overall health can decline, which can make it difficult for them to live independently. If other family members are unable to look after them, this can raise difficult questions about which step to take next. In this article, we’ll look at a few options to consider.

Exploring Different Options

There are a number of care options for older family members, including:

Home care: Home care services offer at-home support for older people who are no longer able to live independently, including tasks such as keeping track of medical care.
Adult day care: As an alternative to paid home care, these centers offer a space for older family members to enjoy socializing and other activities while allowing their carers some time away from their duties.
Assisted living: Assisted living communities offer an alternative to traditional nursing homes in the form of a community offering care, housing and supervision from a team of on-site care staff.
Palliative care: Palliative care is there to provide end-of-life care. While both palliative care and hospice prioritize the comfort of those experiencing serious illness, Hospice is a specific form of palliative care intended for those reaching their final months or weeks of life.

Navigating Change Together

Sudden life changes may lead to stress and even “transfer trauma” in older people. Other trial or short-term solutions, such as a short stay in an assisted living community or taking on a part-time caregiver can help with finding the “best fit” while offering a more gentle transition for the older person.

There may be a profound sense of loss, especially if this phase involves letting go of a beloved old home. Taking things slowly (for example a gradual introduction to a facility so they can get to know everyone there) and personalizing the new place with their own items can help.

Get Everyone On-Board

Try to have a conversation with any other family members involved, as well as the older person themselves, as this helps everyone to approach the situation in a collaborative way that lets the older individual have a say in what their care plan will look like.

When doing so, remain compassionate and inclusive. Anticipate that strong feelings may arise, and it may be necessary to take a step back to re-group. In more challenging scenarios, a professional mediator such as a geriatric care manager may be able to step in and offer support.

Dealing With Difficult Emotions

It is not uncommon over time for carers to begin experiencing long term health difficulties related to stress and burnout. If you notice any symptoms of this in yourself, it may be time to seek additional support.

Remember that your health and well-being also matters. In the meantime, short-respite care services are worth considering, as these can offer temporary relief to carers, in addition to a number of other organizations aimed at supporting carers such as the AARP and National Alliance for Caregiving.

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Dan Dunn

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Editor and Admin at MarkMeets since Nov 2012. Columnist, reviewer and entertainment writer and oversees all of the section's news, features and interviews. During his career, he has written for numerous magazines.

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