Long-term care is an important topic for people to learn about sooner rather than later. At some point, they or a loved one will probably need it. And, when this happens, they’ll have to play catch up … and there’s a lot of information to digest.
Depending on your care needs, a caregiver can be an almost constant presence in your home. Even when they aren’t with you physically, they might call, email, or text you to check in. Because of this, you’ll want to have great communication with your caregiver and connect with them. Below are some ways that you can improve communication and strengthen your bond with your caregiver.
It’s important to establish any expectations you have early on. For example, if you want them to check in with you by phone throughout the day or would prefer another type of communication, you need to tell them at the beginning of your relationship.
Set some time aside to sit down with your new caregiver and have a discussion about all your expectations. They may suggest ways to streamline processes that will make your life easier.
No one wants to work or be with someone who isn’t respecting them. Make sure that you’re giving your caregiver the respect they deserve, and vice versa. Some ways to ensure you’re respecting them is to:
You can also use this list when making sure they are also giving you the right amount of respect.
The best quality of care happens when adults and their caregivers are transparent with any feelings, questions, or concerns. Don’t be afraid to tell your caregiver when you aren’t in a good mood for a specific reason, or wish something could be altered care-wise to help you further.
Having this transparency will only allow your caregiver to be more in tune with your needs and will build significant trust between you both.
Finding things in common through ice breakers and fun, lighthearted conversations is a great way to improve communication and connect with your caregiver. Some topics you can talk about include:
The great part about these is that they can even extend to you and your caregiver doing activities together, like cooking a meal or watching a great show.
Long-term care is an important topic for people to learn about sooner rather than later. At some point, they or a loved one will probably need it. And, when this happens, they’ll have to play catch up … and there’s a lot of information to digest.
Our nation is aging. The Census Bureau predicts that by 2034, adults 65+ will outnumber children 18 and under. Today there are many care options available to older adults depending on where they are in terms of independence and level of care needed. One person may still live in their home and only need help with light housekeeping and medication reminders, whereas another may live in an assisted living community and need help bathing, dressing and preparing meals. Fortunately, there are many care options available today to help older adults age happily in place and to live life to the fullest regardless of limitations.
The American Health Care Association estimates that there are nearly 30,000 assisted living facilities in the U.S. today and more than 15,000 skilled nursing facilities. Choosing the right living environment for yourself or a loved one can be hard. There are many facility types, costs, locations, and specialists involved that trying to choose between skilled nursing and assisted living can feel overwhelming.