Getting Started--What You Need to Know About Caring for Elder Parents

The Washington State Department on Aging and Disabilities Services provides helpful information on how to get started—when you feel it’s time to step in and help your elder parent.

Here is the link and excerpts from an overview on their website:

http://www.aasa.dshs.wa.gov/pubinfo/help/

Are You Caring for a Loved One?

This section will help you understand the basics of finding and getting services for an adult who needs help with care. This would include such things as meals, transportation, daily personal care, house and yard work.
There are also state programs that help pay for food, shelter, medical or general expenses, or offer reduced rate healthcare coverage. Learn more.

Finding care can seem complicated and even overwhelming when you first start looking. The key is to find knowledgeable people who can help you. The information included here can help you sort through what you need to know and do to find these people.

When first beginning to look for care for an adult, you will need to figure out:
• what additional care is needed now or soon;
• who to call to find out what help is available in your area;
• whether you can get the care needed at home or will need residential care; and
• how to pay for it.

Did You Know ?

It’s never too late to make simple lifestyle changes and stay independent longer. Learn more.

What Additional Care is Needed

The first step is to understand what care or additional support is needed. It is a good idea if everyone involved (the adult who needs more care/support and his/her loved ones) can sit down and talk about the current situation. Learn more about having this conversation.

It is also helpful to have an understanding of the types of care that is available. These are often referred to as services. Services can help with things the person is having difficulty with including:

• physical care (e.g. getting dressed, preparing meals, assistance with medications, help with personal hygiene, getting in or out of the bed, tub, toilet or the house);
• taking care of the house or apartment (e.g. light housekeeping, shopping, laundry);
• transportation (e.g. to doctor’s appointments, shopping);
• staying socially active and connected to others in the community.

See the Care Needs Checklists to help guide you through these possible care needs. Learn more about the types of services that help an adult remain at home.

A professional care manager (e.g. nurse or social worker) can also help evaluate the current situation. If you would like professional help, ask for some referrals when finding out what help is available in your area.

Do you know someone preparing to leave a hospital, nursing home, or other health care setting? The CDC has developed a Planning for Your Discharge (PDF) checklist of important things patients and caregivers should know in order to plan for a safe discharge from a health care setting.
How to use this information

Make a list of the care needs required now and soon. This list will help you communicate the kind of care, services or programs you are looking for. Though helpful, having this list is not a requirement to call for help.