By Forrest Hong, PhD, LCSW, CMC
Ask For Help
Don’t wait until you’re in crisis before asking for help. Seek a referral to a trained and licensed clinical social worker who is trained and experienced in handling long-term care situations.
Plan Ahead
It’s difficult to tell a parent that they need help, that they can no longer drive, that they can no longer write checks, or that they should plan to move into an assisted living facility.
It’s easier when you discuss long-term care wishes and make a plan long before mental or physical decline happens.
Get Help for Yourself, Too
Taking care of a parent can be overwhelming. It’s common to feel frustrated and angry with your parent if they refuse your input or help. Meanwhile, you may be feeling a sense of loss as the care-taking roles become reversed. So you’ll need to take care of your own mental health.
Find a trained and licensed clinical social worker who can help you with these feelings.
Stay Informed
We live in a world of constant change. Medications and treatments are constantly changing and the only way to keep up-to-date is to stay informed with the latest news.
Attend caregiver support groups, speak with friends and relatives, and talk with professionals in the field of gerontology and geriatrics.
Remember to Laugh
Humor and laughter are tremendous healers. Sometimes we need to take time away from the serious aspects of our daily lives and laugh a little (or in some cases a lot).
Go out with friends to a comedy club, balance your movies with one of those “silly and stupid” movies, and balance your conversations with other discussions besides caring for your parent.
Hire Help
Do not be afraid to hire and pay for help in the home. Find professionals that you can trust and afford.
Use recommended home care agencies, visit assisted living facilities at different times of the day and week, talk with friends about their experiences; word of mouth referrals tend to work best. Interview professionals before making a decision.
