Care Options in the Community

Many people who are juggling many responsibilities while caring for elderly loved ones find it hard to be there at all times. There are options available within your community that can help you and your parents find the time to make things a little easier.

What are Your Needs?

Before you do anything, ask yourself, "What is it that I need help in?". Is it the physical care of your parents? Financial care? or is it the emotional aspect? All of the above? Do some soul-searching, and also discuss it with your loved one if they are able to understand the situation.

What Can You Afford?

Money, as with mostly everything in our modern day lives, is an important factor. It may be what stops you from finding outside help.

The Time Factor

How much time do you need to allot in your day or your loved one's day? Do you only need help for 4 hours or for 24 hours?

Community Care Options

Keeping the above in mind, there should be (hopefully) within your community, a variety of options available to you should you need some outside assistance.

Informal Care:

This comes in the form of friends, personal referrals or church groups.

Information and Referral:

Public agencies, websites, newspapers and other publications, hospitals, or any other professional organization.

Adult Day Care: There are 2 types:

* Adult Day Social Care:

More focused on social care and activities.

* Adult Day Health Care:

This also has social programs available. However, this is geared towards those who have physical ailments such as Dementia and Parkinson's, or Diabetes. A registered nurse is required to be onsite, and they have the resources available to provide medical care while the client is on site.

Transportation Services:

This can be the public transit system or privately held companies.

Nutrition Programs: Delivery programs like "Meals on Wheels" are available in your community. Sometimes they are sponsored by churches who have their programs. This is volunteer-based and donations are encouraged, sometimes there are small fees. Some of these programs include: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner daily.

Home Care:

This can consist of private paid care, or other respite care provided by volunteers, agencies or government (limited and dependent on budget and waiting list).

Hospice Care: This type of care is available for those who are suffering from a terminal illness and would rather spend their remaining days in their own home instead of at a hospital. A hospice care team is provided to help the family and the patient ensure that their quality of life is the best it can be for their remaining days. Insurance coverage for hospice care is provided through Medicare, Medicaid and some private insurance plans.

Support Groups: Sometimes offered through the community or hospital. These can also congregate in other social situations such as church gatherings.

Find out more information about resources for caregivers at caring-for-mom-and-dad.info caring-for-mom-and-dad.info