Creative Caregiving – Looking Beyond Standard Care & Finding Ways to Use a Professional Caregiver

Original Article can be found here at Senior.com.
We hear our parent express their desires to stay in their own home as they age. We hear it loud and clear. Their home holds memories, a feeling of independence and a comfort that just cannot be replaced in another living situation. Research has backed up what we see, hear and believe. An AARP survey asked baby boomers whether they agreed with the statement “What I’d really like to do is stay in my current residence for as long as possible.” In response, 80% of those age 55-64 agreed, and 88% believed that it is likely that they can.

However, we all know that aging brings its challenges. Simple things like maintaining social relationships or taking care of a pet can prove to be too much for an aging loved one. Many seniors recognize the struggles of aging in place, but aren’t sure how to fix it. Fifty-three percent of seniors in a study conducted by Clarity were concerned about their ability, despite their desire, to remain in their own homes. They cited concerns about health, memory, ability to drive, etc. When asked about fears, seniors ranked loss of independence the highest (26%,) moving into a nursing home (13%,) and both higher than fear of death (3%).
 
These are really strong statistics and just shows how powerful staying in the home is for our aging loved ones. So how, as caregivers, do you help them achieve this goal safely, securely and happily? Giving the gift of non-medical in-home care can help provide a bridge to keep seniors safe and active.

What is non-medical in-home care? It’s really a fancy term for companionship and personal care help provided by a professional caregiver who comes into the home and helps with your loved one’s specific needs. From dressing to meal planning to shopping and card playing, a professional caregiver is a great solution to help you keep your parent safe and active in their own home. I encourage families to get creative with home care to make for a better experience for your loved one and you!

• Is your loved one a writer? One of the best ways to keep your parent mentally stimulated is to recall family or personal memories. Have your caregiver help them keep a journal either written by hand or on a computer.
• Allow for a useful activity. Seniors experience a role reversal, where suddenly someone is taking care of them when they have cared for others most of their adult life. Create an activity centered around something they can still do to help out the family with the assistance of their caregiver. For instance, if cooking is something your loved one has always enjoyed, have the caregiver help cook a family meal and allow the senior to host.
• Have some time set aside for crafts. In home care isn’t always about the mundane of the day to day activities of living. There is more to it than dressing, bathing, medication monitoring, etc. Why not have your caregiver work on some enjoyable craft projects? This can go a long way to developing the caregiver relationship, especially if your loved one has appeared reluctant. For men, crafts such as woodworking often stimulate creativity and concentration. Whether Dad is whittling a toy horse or building a birdhouse, the benefits of achievement share with the benefits of continued concentration, thinking skills, and motor movements. For the ladies, many like to knit or crochet. Try to see if your caregiver is receptive to learning the craft from your parent! There is much enjoyment in teaching others the craft.
• Exercise together. Talk with your caregiver and see if there are any physical activities that they would be willing to do with your loved one. Sharing experiences together is another creative way to make use of your professional caregiver. Think walks around a park, water aerobics, Thai Chi, or other physical activities that your loved one is capable of.
• Create a wish list. Chances are your professional caregiver is spending several hours a week or a day with your loved one. During these hours of interaction, your caregiver will most likely see or learn intimate details of your loved one’s life. Ask your caregiver to help your family by keeping a wish list of things they say they wish they had or might happen, from a grandchild’s picture to seeing an old movie again. You might be surprised at what a caregiver will hear from your loved one. By writing it down for you, your family will have a unique opportunity to add joy to your loved one’s life by helping meet some of these wishes.

Take the time to sit down with your caregiver and ask about some of the creative activities/ideas they have implemented with other families they have worked with. See what works with your family situation and get creative! Caregivers are a great way to not only bring some respite care to your family but to add another layer of interaction and stimulation for your loved one as they age in their home environment.


This article was written by: Suzanne McNeely, MSW, NCG, CLPF, CMC, is president and founder of Senior Planning Services (SPS) in Santa Barbara, CA.  She began SPS in 1989 after many years of working in social services and hospital administration.  Suzanne designed SPS to help advocate and provide guidance in all aspects of daily life for the elderly, including psychological, physical, financial and legal issues.  She can be reached at smcneely@seniorplanningservices.com.