Establishing a Strong Network of Support for Your Senior
It’s important to have a strong group of people you can rely on to help your senior loved one with daily tasks and offer assistance in emergencies.
If you’ve been trying to figure out how to create a support system for your senior loved one, this article will provide you with several helpful steps to connect and coordinate with people in your senior loved one’s life to build a strong network of support.
Getting Support Can Be a Challenge
Logistics can sometimes make it difficult to create a local support network. If you and your family don’t live near your senior loved one, it can be especially difficult to support them when unexpected emergencies arise.
It can also be challenging to create a support network if the members all have busy lives with schedules packed full of work, childcare, and other important responsibilities.
It is also possible that your senior loved one will resist the idea of receiving support, making it important that you approach the matter with understanding and patience.
Speaking With Your Senior Loved One About Getting Help
Your loved one will likely voice some apprehension about having others take care of them, especially if they are a more independent person.
Having a conversation with your loved one about receiving care can be emotionally charged, but there are ways to navigate it tactfully. Reinforce the fact that you are not trying to infantilize or take agency away from your senior loved one.
Instead, reassure them that you want to work with them to make sure they have all the help they need to live comfortably at home. If necessary, have a senior health professional speak with your loved one to help further reassure them.
Steps for Building a Strong Support Network
First, make a list of close family and friends you can rely on to help care for your senior loved one in times of need.
Contact them, and try to get everyone together for a phone conference or in-person meeting, if possible.
Work together to coordinate schedules, determining what type of help each person can provide and when they can provide it. If everyone is able, use a linked calendar system like Google Calendar to keep everyone up-to-date in real-time.
Local Options for Support in Coral Springs
Your support network can also include sources outside of your family and friend circle. The Coral Springs Senior Center offers transportation services, enriching classes, meals, and more!
Utilizing the senior center’s services can also give your loved one a chance to make new friends and bond with other seniors!
Get Support From Our In-Home Caregivers
An in-home caregiver can be an invaluable asset to your senior loved one’s support network. Our caregivers at Visiting Angels of Coral Springs are available round-the-clock to provide your senior loved one with an array of non-medical care services like mobility help, friendly companionship, and personal care.
Our Angels are well-versed in coordinating with seniors’ families, offering flexible scheduling and customized care plans that can supplement your senior loved one’s current care routine.
We also offer long-distance care options to help you arrange care for a senior who resides in Coral Springs, even if you live across the country.
Contact Our Office Today for a Free In-Home Care Evaluation
We make learning more about our care services as easy as a phone call or a few clicks. Call us at 954-688-9342 or contact us online to schedule your free home care consultation and find out more about how our non-medical care services can help your senior loved one find confidence, freedom, and safety!