Caring for someone elderly is not easy, and this care can become more difficult as their age increases. The caregiver needs to be patient, dedicated, and understanding. Even with these fine qualities, there are situations that arise in caregiving that can be difficult if they are not well understood. Here are some of the best resources for educating yourself and obtaining help.
Community Services
Aside from the help of your own family, your senior's local community or your own can provide you with much help for caregiving. They can refer you to home care services, adult day cares and senior transportation services. Many communities offer check-in services and assistance services for seniors living alone, such as snow shoveling service. Many of these services are free.
There are also government organizations that help in caring for the elderly. One of them is AARP, the American Association for Retired Persons. AARP offers several resources online for education and guidance.
Online College Courses
There are several courses that can be taken online to learn about common senior behavior and the challenges that arise in caregiving. There are graduate programs offered online that can give you instruction in elderly behavior analysis and help to teach you how to respond to common behavioral problems. These are particularly helpful if you are planning to become a nurses aide, a board certified behavior analyst, or pursue a career in elderly services.
Your Local Church
Certain churches specialize in charity organizations for the elderly that help to educate and give assistance. There are charities that offer driving services for seniors who need help getting to the doctor, shopping for groceries, or who simply need a companion. Other charities offer a free delivered meal each day for seniors who can no longer cook. Making a few phone calls to the churches in your community will help you to find these. In most cases, your senior does not have to be a member of the sponsoring church to receive their free services.
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Assisted Livings and Nursing Homes
There are times when questions arise about care where professional advice is greatly needed, particularly in the later stages of aging. Stopping in at a local assisted living or nursing home to ask a question can sometimes be very helpful. Such organizations usually have a nurse on staff who can answer questions about diet, common illnesses, or daily care, and they can usually guide you to the right places to find helpful medical devices for the elderly. Your senior does not have to be a resident there for you to receive help or advice.
Caring for an elderly loved one is a learning experience, but fortunately, there are a lot of places to turn to for help.
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