Becoming a caregiver for a parent is a difficult but important task. Providing care becomes a priority, often to the detriment of your own job or family life. Lifetime Care is a home health care provider in the Finger Lakes region of NY that understands the strain being a caregiver can create, and they offer some tips for dealing with this new role.

5 Home Health Care Tips

1. Get Organized

Understand your parent’s health issues and limitations. Talk to their doctor about what medications or therapy is necessary. This will give you a good idea of exactly how much care is required. It’s also a good time to organize your parent’s paperwork, including legal documents, health insurance information, and advance directives.

2. Consider How Caregiving Will Affect Your Life

Your first instinct may be to put your life on hold while you tend to your parent’s health. That’s why it’s important to carefully consider the implications of becoming the primary caregiver to your aging parent. Will you need time off work? Time away from your family? What about the financial costs?

3. Set Boundaries & Stick to Them

Caregiving can be physically and emotionally demanding. Set boundaries early on regarding the type of care and how much time you’re willing to provide. This includes establishing boundaries with the parent you’re providing care for as well as your siblings and family. Being realistic about what you can do will help you find a comfortable balance. And when your parent needs additional help, stick to these boundaries and hire a home health care provider.

4. Research Ways to Reduce the Financial Cost of Caregiving

Investigate government programs to help lower the financial burden of care or lower prescription drug costs. If you have siblings, have a frank conversation about the cost of your parent’s care; even if they can’t provide caregiving, they may be willing to share the financial burden.

5. Hire Additional Help

Your parent might have considerable health issues, or you may just not have the time or ability to deal with the requirements of caregiving. This is when you should hire a home health care provider. Home aides are convenient and usually less expensive than nursing homes, and they have expertise in delivering elder care. Speak with your parent’s physician if you think home health care is needed.

Caring for your aging parent isn’t easy, but you don’t have to carry the burden alone. The home health care providers at Lifetime Care are experienced professionals who provide compassionate and quality care when you need it. With more than 50 years of experience providing quality care, they’re ranked as one of the top agencies in the United States. To learn more about their services, visit their website or call (585) 214-1000.