Written by Danielle Reay

Our parents devote the best years of their lives to providing for us as children, so it’s only natural for us to want to give back as they enter their senior years. One of the best ways to do this is to make sure your aging parent receives quality care. You can ensure quality care by providing it yourself or you enlist help. Either way, good caregiving can greatly impact their quality of life and will bring you peace of mind. 

Taking care of an elderly parent can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to start. But with this checklist, you’ll have everything you need to provide your loved one with the care they deserve. 

This guide will show you how to watch for signs that indicate your parent needs extra support at home. 

The caregiver checklist section will give you the information you need to choose the best approach for providing meaningful care to your elderly parents. 

We’ll also guide you through tips to avoid caretaker burnout and help you recognize when it’s time to seek outside help. 

By the end of this article, you can be confident in the decisions you make with and for your parents as they enter their golden years.

Signs That an Aging Parent Needs Help

It’s hard to watch an aging parent who was once active and capable lose their physical and mental capabilities. And it can be even more difficult to know when it’s time to step in and offer help. 

Here are a few warning signs that your parent may need extra help:

• Difficulty with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Struggling with basic tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, or eating may mean your parent needs support.
• Unexplained Falls or Accidents: Frequent falls or unexplained accidents can be a sign that your parent’s mobility or balance is declining. 
• Forgetfulness and Memory Problems: Forgetting appointments, losing track of time, or having difficulty recalling recent events can be early signs of cognitive decline or dementia. 
• Neglected Home and Hygiene: A noticeable decline in housekeeping and personal hygiene could indicate that your parent is having trouble maintaining their home or taking care of themselves.
• Social Withdrawal and Isolation: If your parent becomes increasingly withdrawn, avoids social settings, or loses interest in hobbies and activities they once enjoyed, it may be a sign of emotional or mental health issues, loneliness, or physical limitations that require assistance.

Watch for these warning signs so you can proactively offer support before your parents become unsafe. Regular communication with your parents and observing their well-being can help you identify when they need extra support to live safely and comfortably at home. 

Caregiver Checklist 

Once it’s clear that your loved one needs additional support to continue aging at home, you’ll need to assess their physical, emotional, and financial needs. Use this checklist to help you decide what you can provide as a caregiver and where you’ll need additional support. Be sure to include your parent in as many of the decisions as you can so they can maintain their dignity during this period of transition. 

1. Assistance With Daily Tasks

Meeting your aging parent’s day-to-day needs is your primary concern as their caregiver. But with so many needs, it’s difficult to know where to start. 

These steps will quickly and easily give you an idea of how you can best support your aging parent:

1. Observe your parent throughout their day so you can understand what tasks they need help with. 

Here’s a list of ADL examples to check:

• Bathing or showering
• Brushing teeth
• Washing hands and face
• Hair care 
• Dressing
• Eating
• Going to the bathroom
• Transferring (moving from one place to another)

2. Ask them which tasks are hardest or most frustrating for them. 

3. Ask family and friends what they’ve observed.

Once you have an idea of your parent’s needs, make a plan to meet those needs as their caregiver. Prepare a schedule so that you and your parent know when you’ll be available to provide needed care. Continuously reassess their needs and adjust the care plan accordingly. Ask for help from family members, friends, or other social networks to fill in the gaps.

With a plan in place to make sure that your loved one has all of their basic needs met, you can start thinking about other aspects of their care. 

2. Medical Care

Taking care of your elderly parent’s medical needs can be overwhelming and sometimes scary. Being well-informed of their ever-changing health concerns will reduce stress for both you and your parent.

Here are a few ways to make sure you’re up-to-date on their medical care:

• Have a firm understanding of any and all health conditions or concerns.

• Schedule regular check-ups with healthcare providers and specialists as needed.

• Attend appointments so you can help with paperwork and ask questions.

• Be aware of all medications including when and how they should be taken. 

• Set up a system to manage their medications, including pill organizers and reminders.

Remember to seek help from healthcare professionals whenever you have questions or concerns about your parent’s medical needs.

3. Home Safety

As your parent ages, their home can begin to pose threats to their safety. But don’t worry, there are many things you can do to address the threats so they can continue to age in place in the home they love. 

Here are a few ways to improve the safety of their home:

• Relocate their bedroom to the main floor.

• Address fall risks and other safety hazards by making home improvement changes like:
  • Installing grab bars in bathrooms.
  • Adding textured strips in the bathtub or shower.
  • Putting a waterproof chair in the shower. 
  • Adding non-slip treads on stairs.
  • Removing throw rugs.
  • Installing ramps where possible.
  • Replacing standard door knobs with lever handles.

• Double-check standard safety measures, such as:
  • Fire and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Phone lines or Wifi.
  • Security systems.

• Support their mobility with canes, walkers, or wheelchairs so they can get around safely.

With proper safety measures in place, you can take comfort in knowing that your parent is safe even when you’re not there.

4. Financial and Legal Matters

With your parent’s daily living tasks, medical needs, and safety needs met you can begin to consider their financial needs. That means becoming familiar with their banks, bills, and legal matters. This can be an uncomfortable and sometimes awkward part of caregiving, so be sensitive as you navigate through this. 

Here are some financial and legal matters to review:

• Gain access to your parent’s bank accounts and other financial institutions so you can help manage their finances and make sure their affairs are in order.

• Assist with budgeting, bill payments, and financial planning.

• Collect important documents and store them in a safe place. Here’s a list of documents that will be important to have nearby:
  • Birth certificates
  • Death certificate of spouse
  • Deed to cemetery plots
  • Deeds to property
  • Insurance policies
  • Pension benefits

• Find their will or contact an Elder Law Specialist or family lawyer to help write one.

• Arrange power of attorney and healthcare directives.

• Be their advocate in healthcare settings and ensure their preferences and wishes are respected.

Most people aren’t well equipped to deal with financial or legal matters, so don’t hesitate to consult financial advisors or lawyers where necessary.

5. Companionship

Companionship and emotional well-being are vital aspects of the overall health and happiness of your elderly parent. But providing company and emotional support doesn’t have to fall on you alone. Look to other people who love them to help with this pressing need. 

Here are a few ways to help with companionship needs:

• Encourage participation in hobbies and activities.

• Help and encourage your parent to maintain connections with friends and other loved ones.

• Teach them how to use technology to stay in touch with people who can’t visit in person.

• Consider local senior centers or community programs to help your parent meet new people and engage with others.

• Explore the benefits of an animal companion.

• Provide emotional support during times of transition or health crises.

Companionship and emotional well-being for your elderly loved one is an essential part of their care. Spending quality time, encouraging social interactions, and considering participation in community programs or senior centers can make a significant difference in their emotional health and overall quality of life.

Caring for an aging parent is both rewarding and challenging. 

We understand that it takes dedication and compassion to ensure the well-being of your elderly parent, and your love and devotion to your parent will undoubtedly make you a great caregiver. 

As you embark on this path, we hope this checklist for caring for your aging parent helps you navigate the transition from child to caregiver with ease. 

Remember, you don’t have to do it alone – utilize any available resources and services to support you on this meaningful and loving journey of caregiving. Together, we can ensure that your parent receives the best care and enjoys a life filled with comfort, dignity, and love.

How To Take Care of Yourself and Your Elderly Parent

No matter how much you love your parent, becoming their caregiver is physically and emotionally demanding. It’s easy to deprioritize your own needs when you’re trying to meet someone else’s needs. But you can’t be an effective caregiver when you’re running on empty. So here are some tips to help you balance caregiving responsibilities with self-care:

Prioritize Yourself 

• Set aside time to do things that bring you joy.
• Don’t abandon hobbies that you love. 
• Get enough sleep, eat well, and stay active.
• Find ways of managing caregiver stress like meditation or yoga.

Set Boundaries

• Set clear boundaries between your caregiving role and personal life to avoid burnout.
• Say no to extra responsibilities when you can.

Create a Schedule

• Plan a caregiving schedule that allows you to tend to the other responsibilities in your life.
• Be flexible and adaptable as your parent’s needs may change over time.
• Remember to include “me time” in your schedule.

Communication is Key

• Involve your parent in the decision-making as much as possible.
• Don’t be afraid to communicate your feelings and needs to your parent.
• Let other family members and your support network know your limitations.

Set Realistic Expectations

• Accept that you are only one person and can’t do everything.
• Acknowledge that caregiving is hard – give yourself room to feel frustrated, sad, and overwhelmed.
• Prepare yourself emotionally for changes in your parent’s mental and physical health.

When you prioritize your needs, you’re able to be the best caregiver possible for your parent. Ensuring your own physical and mental well-being will allow you to take care of theirs.

When To Seek Outside Help

Caring for aging parents at home is admirable but it’s not realistic to give up your life to provide that care. There are people and services near you that offer support for caregivers. 

It may be time to seek additional caregiver support if:

• You can’t thrive – You’ve given up your goals, hopes, and dreams to care for aging parents. 

• You can’t provide for yourself or your family ––  Balancing caregiving and work, both inside and outside the home, has become impossible.

• You aren’t capable of giving the needed care – Your aging parents have declined mentally and/or physically to a point where they need medical support. 

• You can’t care for your mental or physical health – The stress of caregiving is causing you to suffer both emotionally and physically.

You don’t need to feel trapped caring for elderly parents. Don’t let guilt or shame compel you to care for a parent who needs more care than you can provide. If their physical and mental health has deteriorated beyond your ability to cope, the most loving thing you can do for them is find professionals who can help.

Your Partner in Aging Parent Care

As you embark on the journey of caring for your aging parent, remember that you are not alone in this endeavor. 

We understand that caregiving can be demanding, and there may be times when you need an extra hand to provide the level of care your aging senior deserves. With the right guidance and support, providing the best care possible for your loved one becomes a rewarding and fulfilling experience. 

That’s where Suzy’s Senior Services at-home care comes in. Our compassionate team is ready to be your partner, offering personalized care plans tailored to your parent’s unique needs. From assistance with daily living tasks to providing companionship and specialized medical support, we are dedicated to enhancing your parent’s quality of life while giving you peace of mind.

We know that caregiving is an act of love, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Reach out to Suzy’s Senior Services today and let us be the caring and supportive ally you need. Contact us today at 801-540-2077 to learn more. Together, we can ensure that your aging parent receives the love, comfort, and attention they deserve during their golden years.

Remember, you are doing an incredible job as a caregiver, and it’s essential to take care of yourself too. Don’t hesitate to seek the help you need, and know that you have a compassionate team ready to assist you on this meaningful journey of caring for your aging parent. 

• Grateful for Suzy’s Senior Services!
• 
  “I’m so grateful I found your services and do not know what I would have done without those special ladies who come in and help me and care for my hubby. Your people come in like a breath of fresh air – all bubbly and happy – not only lifting up our spirits but cleaning and bathing Jim, too. 
• I still cry every time Aimee and Jayme make my bed – I’m just so grateful for Suzy’s Senior Services!
• The other Amy is so good with Jim and gets him into a bath twice a week, and manages to get him clean and shiny, which is just a big fight with him for me.  She gets Jim talking about his past and they laugh together. 
• These services allow me to take a breath and focus on other things that were slipping out of control.  
• Again, I’m so very grateful for the fact that you, Suzy, are willing to provide these services and find fantastic people to come in and give the loving care they do to people they don’t even know!”
  
• – J. Eborn

For at-home services for seniors near Bountiful, Utah, call us at 801-540-2077 to learn more.