How to Care for Sick Elderly Parents: A Family Caregiver's Guide

Most adults never grasp how challenging it is to care for sick and elderly family members until they experience it firsthand. The path of caregiving brings emotional and practical challenges that catch most people unprepared.

Signs of illness or aging in our parents - trouble with stairs, frequent memory lapses, or poor judgment - transform caregiving into our daily reality. Adults over 65 face higher risks of serious health complications, even from common illnesses like the flu.

We created this detailed guide to help you handle the challenges of caring for a sick parent. You'll learn everything needed to provide the best care possible - from preparing your home and building support networks to protecting your parent's dignity while managing your own responsibilities.

Preparing Your Home for Sick Parents

Getting your home ready for sick parents needs careful thought about medical needs and safety changes. Medicare Part B helps you get various durable medical equipment (DME) when healthcare providers prescribe it ^[1].

Essential medical supplies

Good home care starts with the right medical equipment. A complete setup has blood sugar meters, commode chairs, oxygen equipment, and patient lifts ^[1]. Simple medical supplies like disposable gloves, incontinence supplies, and medication organizers play a vital role in daily care ^[2]. A personal alert system adds security during emergencies, especially for parents who live alone ^[3].

Making spaces safe

You need to create a secure environment by dealing with fall risks. Falls send more than 3 million older adults to emergency rooms each year ^[4]. You should install grab bars in bathrooms, put non-slip mats in showers, and secure loose rugs as vital safety measures ^[5].

Bathrooms need extra attention. A shower chair with back support and a handheld showerhead makes bathing safer ^[6]. Clear pathways that are 34-36 inches wide around furniture help with better mobility ^[7].

Good lighting helps prevent accidents. Motion-sensor night lights work well in hallways and bathrooms ^[8]. Keep your water heater temperature at 120°F or lower to avoid scalding ^[5]. These simple changes reduce accident risks by a lot while helping your parents stay independent.

Creating a Support Network

Quality care for sick elderly parents needs a reliable support network as its life-blood. The National Family Caregiver Support Program has helped over 700,000 caregivers, which shows how much structured support matters ^[9].

Finding reliable caregivers

Professional caregivers are the foundation of a complete care plan. Home health aides track vital signs and help with daily activities. Personal care aides provide companionship and assist with simple tasks ^[10]. Plus, licensed nursing assistants deliver specialized medical support while registered nurses supervise them.

You should run background checks and verify credentials before hiring anyone - state regulations require this ^[11]. Personality fit matters just as much as qualifications. So, you'll want to schedule interviews and call references to find the right match for your parent's needs.

Coordinating family help

Family meetings help coordinate caregiving effectively. These meetings do more than share updates - they help you:

• Review what each family member can do and when they're available

• Make care responsibilities clear

• Talk openly about concerns or conflicts

• Get ready for future care needs

Studies show 42% of caregivers help for 2-5 years, while 27% continue for 5-10 years ^[9]. This makes an eco-friendly division of responsibilities vital for long-term success.

Working with medical professionals

Healthcare providers need to work together to deliver complete care. Physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who make house calls form the core team ^[12]. Clear communication about your parent's health status and care plan changes should stay open with these professionals.

Support services help 74% of caregivers provide care longer than they could otherwise ^[9]. Local Area Agencies on Aging coordinate services for older adults and their caregivers, making them valuable resources to connect with ^[13].

Balancing Care With Other Duties

Balancing caregiving duties with professional commitments creates unique challenges. Recent studies show that 60% of family caregivers are hired while caring for loved ones ^[14]. Finding the right balance becomes vital to succeed when taking care of sick elderly parents.

Managing work responsibilities

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protects working caregivers by providing 12 weeks of annual unpaid leave with health insurance benefits ^[15]. Employees can work reduced schedules or take intermittent leave to meet caregiving needs ^[16].

You can stay productive at work by:

• Setting up a weekly schedule with fixed work hours

• Blocking specific times to handle caregiving calls

• Creating emergency backup plans with colleagues

• Getting help through employee assistance programs

Your employer should know about your situation, especially since 47% of employees now balance paid work with part-time caregiving ^[17]. Many companies provide flexible arrangements, including remote work and adjusted schedules ^[18].

Taking care of your own family

Caregiving combined with work needs often strains family relationships, affecting both spouses and children ^[15]. Studies reveal that 73% of employees have caregiving duties ^[19], which makes family coordination significant.

Clear communication about caregiving responsibilities will help maintain family harmony. Children should understand the situation through age-appropriate involvement without feeling neglected ^[15]. Strong family bonds need quality time, even if brief.

Note that 26% of hired caregivers might lose their jobs due to performance issues ^[17]. Delegate tasks and accept help from family, friends, or professional services to avoid burnout. This strategy will give a sustainable care plan for both your parents and immediate family.

Maintaining Parent's Dignity and Independence

Dignity is a fundamental part of caring for sick elderly parents. Research shows that dignity works both ways, and older adults can feel humiliated when they don't receive dignified care ^[20].

Including them in decisions

The ability to make choices is vital for elderly parents' well-being. Studies show older adults want to be fully informed about their care decisions. This information helps them feel important and capable of participating ^[20]. You should present options and let them control their daily lives instead of making choices for them. This approach helps them maintain their sense of self-worth and independence ^[21].

Supporting emotional needs

Elderly parents' emotional health depends on recognition and visibility. Older adults need to be seen, heard, and taken seriously as individuals ^[20]. Research shows that dignity grows through friendship, and good relationships with health professionals strengthen patients' feelings of self-worth ^[20].

Preserving daily routines

Seniors stay motivated and maintain their sense of purpose through daily routines. Regular schedules provide several benefits:

• Higher energy levels and improved mood ^[6]

• Better cognitive function and reduced stress ^[6]

• Increased mobility and independence ^[6]

Seniors who follow daily routines experience better mental wellness and independence ^[22]. You should help them choose activities that match their interests and abilities. This ownership builds their confidence and self-sufficiency ^[22]. Research confirms that seniors who live alone should take part in their care activities to feel accomplished ^[23].

Conclusion

Taking care of sick elderly parents presents most important challenges. Good preparation and support can make this experience manageable. A secure environment for aging parents requires safety modifications at home and essential medical equipment. Green practices and family support networks are vital to provide long-term care.

You need careful planning and open communication with employers to balance work and caregiving duties. It also helps to keep our parents involved in decisions and maintain their daily routines. This approach helps them keep their independence and self-worth.

You don't have to handle this responsibility alone. Call Always Responsive Home Care today. Their professional team will support your family and ensure your parents get quality care while they stay independent.

Start these strategies early and stay in touch with healthcare providers. Take care of yourself while caring for others. The right approach and support system will help you give your aging parents the dignified care they deserve.

References

[1] - https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/durable-medical-equipment-dme-coverage
[2] - https://www.homeinstead.com/care-resources/care-planning/tips-selecting-home-medical-equipment/
[3] - https://www.personallydelivered.com/blog/25-essential-medical-supplies-for-elderly-adults/?srsltid=AfmBOoqp8Qf7BdeOhfIucoCK9aLK5X-NecJuufcFDO28RldgniVgugr5
[4] - https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/home-care/info-2019/safety-tips.html
[5] - https://www.healthinaging.org/tools-and-tips/tip-sheet-home-safety-tips-older-adults
[6] - https://www.care.com/c/help-seniors-maintain-daily-routine/
[7] - https://assistinghandsrichmond.com/home-safe-elderly-parents/
[8] - https://www.aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/home-safety-tips
[9] - http://acl.gov/programs/support-caregivers/national-family-caregiver-support-program
[10] - https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/home-care/info-2018/hiring-caregiver.html
[11] - https://www.seniorliving.org/caregiving/hire-a-caregiver/
[12] - https://www.healthinaging.org/age-friendly-healthcare-you/care-settings/home-health-care
[13] - https://aging.ca.gov/Programs_and_Services/Family_Caregiver_Services/
[14] - https://www.caregiveraction.org/i-have-job-and-im-caregiver-my-loved-one/
[15] - https://www.mjhs.org/resource/balancing-caregiving-responsibilities/
[16] - https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/caregiver-balance-work
[17] - https://www.seniorhelpers.com/md/baltimore/resources/blogs/tips-for-balancing-work-and-caring-for-an-elderly-parent/
[18] - https://www.ioaging.org/aging/caregiver-and-working-full-time-tips-for-managing-it-all/
[19] - https://www.kornferry.com/insights/this-week-in-leadership/5-ways-to-juggle-caregiving-and-working
[20] - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8408827/
[21] - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1119851/
[22] - https://www.considracare.com/practical-tips-for-creating-a-daily-routine-that-benefits-your-aging-parents/
[23] - https://www.comfortkeepers.com/articles/info-center/senior-independent-living/the-importance-of-independence-for-seniors/