How to Care for Aging Parents: A Guide to Connecticut Families

How to Care for Aging Parents: A Guide to Connecticut Families

Caring for aging parents may be the most rewarding and challenging experience in a person’s life. Whether you just start to notice that your mother or father needs help or have cared for her/him for some time, it is often unclear what to do next.

This is the case in Connecticut, as well. Between medical appointments, medication, meals, and more, it’s easy to feel like you are always reacting. However, with the right help and support, taking care of your parents could become simpler, even more fulfilling.

Here is a helpful guide to get you started.

6 Steps to Caring for Your Aging Parent in Connecticut

Step 1: Look for Support Indicators

Sometimes it is evident that the parent is in need of support. There may also be a gradual change. Some signs to watch for include:

• Missed appointments or medications
• Bills or correspondence not paid or opened
• Problems cooking or even cleaning the house
• Hygiene or clothing changes
• Mood changes, isolation, and forgetfulness

Even if your parents say they are doing fine, recognizing these changes allows you to initiate a conversation about forming a plan even before a crisis arises.

Step 2: Have The Conversation, Gently

When it comes to discussing caregiving needs, it can be an emotional conversation. The fact is that a lot of older individuals are very independent, so the idea of needing care can feel uncomfortable or emotionally difficult.

Attempt this instead:

• Always choose a quiet time and a secluded place
• Open-ended questions: “How have things been going around the house?” “Do you ever feel like you could use a hand?”
• Make sure to highlight that you are eager to assist, not to control
• Be patient, this is likely to be an ongoing conversation, not a one-time conversation

If your parent is not ready to accept help right away, that is fine. Keep the lines open.

Step 3: Understand Your Options

Once your parent is receptive to assistance, you can begin to research what type of care might be well-suited. For families in Connecticut, possible care solutions include:

In-Home Care

This is usually a non-disruptive and highly desirable solution. The aide is sent to your parent’s home to assist with tasks such as:

• Meal preparation and housekeeping
• Personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming)
• Pharmacotherapy alerts

In-home care can range from a few hours a week to 24 hours, depending on the needs of the individual.

Adult Day Programs

These offer a structured life with social interactions during the daytime, while your parent would be at home at night. This would be a fantastic solution if you are working and taking care of your parent at the same time.

Assisted Living Facilities / Nursing Homes

However, if the issue of safety or the level of care becomes an issue, long-term residential care might be indicated. But often, the family finds that home care prevents the need for facility care completely.

Step 4: Get Help with Logistics

Learning how to care for aging parents might involve more than just taking care of the day-to-day needs. You may have to coordinate:

• Healthcare – Organize appointments, track medications, communicate with physicians
• Legal Planning – Ensure that power of attorneys, healthcare directives, and wills are in place
• Financial assistance – Tracking spending, budgeting, and potentially utilizing insurance or government programs (such as the CT Home Care Program for Elders)

You can’t go through all this alone. There are care coordinators or social workers who can assist in organizing the support for your family.

 

Step 5: Take Care of Yourself Too

Caregivers often tend to keep putting their needs last. Caregiver burnout is a real thing, and it is among the top reasons older adults are admitted to the hospital or a long-term care facility.

Make time for:

• Sleep, nutrition, and physical activity
• Social interaction and pastimes
• Communicating with a Counselor or a Support Group When Needed
• Regular breaks with respite care

You don’t have to be everything for everybody. Asking for help is not a failure; it’s an act of love for yourself and your parent.

Step 6: Find a Local Partner You Can Trust

If you’re in need of homecare in Connecticut, Change Inc. is here to assist you. Thousands of families within the state of Connecticut have benefited from homecare by, and now your family can too, right in your own home, where your loved ones are safest.

With only a few hours of care per week to 24/7 care, our services are flexible and tailored specifically to what your family needs. We will also assist you with state programs and resources, which may help pay for care.

Next Steps for Caring for Aging Parents at Home

Taking care of an aging parent is never easy, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. With the right plan and mindset, you can help the person you care about stay safe, connected, and well cared for in the place they love best, their home.

Looking for help? Contact us today to learn more about the most effective ways to care for your aging parents.