From the moment you were born until the day you got your first paycheck, your parents have been by your side, showering you with all the love and support they can give you. And when they can no longer take care of themselves without help, it will be your turn to care for them in the best way you know how.
Understandably, there’s not enough time in the world to allow you to work a full-time job while caring for your parents 24/7. No matter how hard you wish for it to be true, it’s just not possible. But while you can’t do everything on your own, there are people you can hire to help you care for your parents.
After all, that’s what caregivers are for. Caregivers are trained professionals who can take care of your parents in your place, particularly when you have your hands full. Instead of overextending yourself and burning out from the stress of your responsibilities, consider seeking help from trustworthy caregivers.
Of course, you can’t just leave your parents in the hands of anybody; you have to make sure that they are in good hands so you can rest assured that no harm will come their way. Here are three telltale qualities that will let you know that you’ve found the right caregivers for your parents:
If they are knowledgeable about what they do
Oftentimes, children will enter their parents in senior home healthcare centers because that’s where they can be taken care of properly. There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it could be beneficial to their overall well-being too because they can be with other people their age and live without worrying about the realities of life.
However, if your parents want more independence or stay in their house, the next best thing you can do is hire caregivers to assist them in their day-to-day routines. Caregivers can reside permanently in-house or come by in the day and leave at night. The scheduling will depend highly on your parents’ needs and your ability to pay.
But before you hire caregivers, you must find out if they’re truly capable of taking care of other people. They need to be knowledgeable about what they do and how they can handle elders, specifically if your parents have Alzheimer’s disease or other chronic illnesses that require special attention.
If they can offer warmth and companionship
More than needing assistance in the home and personal care, your parents will seek companionship. They might be old enough that they can’t leave the house on their own anymore, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t enjoy the regular conversations and bonding time with their loved ones.
However, since you can’t always be there to strike a conversation with your parents, you have to make sure that the caregiver you hire can. They won’t need to do the talking all the time, but it’s better if they can carry any conversation to humor your aging parents without coming off as condescending.
If your caregiver can offer warmth and companionship to your parents, it will make it easier for them to create an amicable relationship. And with that kind of relationship foundation, your parents might be more accepting of their new situation without feeling like a burden to you.
If they can show understanding and patience
Most of the time, the elderly will require an extra hand not only because of their old age but also because they’re dealing with a chronic illness or disability. Since they may not always be in a mentally sound mind, they could become difficult or impossible to handle at times.
That’s why you’ll need caregivers who can show understanding of your parents’ individual situations. They would have to know how to appropriately handle sudden bursts of aggression in a way that won’t harm your parents, especially because it’s a big possibility when dealing with elders.
The caregivers you hire must also be able to show patience even in the toughest times, such as when you’re past your breaking point. You might not be equipped with the skills to care for another person, but your caregivers should be able to understand the needs of your parents better than you do.
So, when your internal strength falters and you don’t have the energy to take care of your parents, your caregivers need to be the rock you can lean on. You must trust them enough to let them take the reins and be what your parents need during your moments of weakness.
You can love and care for your parents with your whole heart even if you’re not the one by their side all the time. They might not immediately understand that you need to earn a living to provide for everyone and that’s why you can’t be there, but give them time to accept it. Sooner or later, they will learn to thank you for everything you’ve done for them.
