Although you may believe that hiring long term care providers to care for your elderly parent takes the burden or
pressure off your shoulders, you may want to think again. It’s true you may not be the physical 24/7 caregiver, but you are responsible 24/7 for making the decisions as to who is caring for your parent — and whether or not your mother or father is getting the proper and sufficient care. Since you may not have experience in the medical field or have never worked in long term care, your opinions may be viewed as biased and personal. However, it’s ok to have those thoughts and opinions and make decisions based on them. This is your parent, and you want the best the long term care that fits their needs and yours.
First, let’s talk about your long term care needs. You may not be able to make accurate decisions for your mother or father unless you take care of yourself first. Although this is tough during the acute stage of arranging care and settling into the process, it is important that you and others in the family develop a support system and a respite. The time you spend with your loved one should not be wrapped around their care needs; it should be spent in the comfort of their company. Keep in mind, long term care is not an indicator that your mother or father is terminally ill. Long term care services may be used for medical and non-medical needs to assist your elderly parent in the areas that they need support services here in Dayton, OH and the surrounding area.
If possible, share this role with another sibling or family member. When your parent has long term care providers, it is essential that the family is involved and aware of how your loved one and their caregivers interact with each other. Sharing this responsibility allows you to continue to enjoy your normal routine and take needed breaks and socializing in an environment that takes you away from the long term care issues that may confront you.
