My theme this year is Caring for the Caregiver. My posts are based on my experience and are not meant to be a comprehensive guide on the subject. I would love to hear your experiences..
You can catch up with my previous posts here.
With each post, I am sharing a sketch that I have done as a means for stress busting.
Helper.
These can be most valuable and indispensable to help us take care of our wards. Depending on the health of the senior/seniors we look after, the helper has to be a trained nurse else health worker. The latter can help with feeding, bathing our wards, taking them for a walk, reading to them and so on.
This can be for either only during day hours or for 24 hours. In some instances, the wards need help with outside jobs like going to the post, bank, library, writing letters (yes some elders still do write with a pen!) and so on. In that case, help is needed only for a few hours. Then my city has the option of getting help from needy students under a ‘Earn and Learn’ project. The student comes home for a couple of hours and helps out with such tasks for a small remuneration.
Here are some providers:
DISCLAIMER: I have no vested interest in any of these. Some were recommended to me, some I have found via Google search.
Elder Care
Nightingales
MayaCare
Portea
Full time helpers can be costly but they are a huge help to us care givers.
Obviously whether our wards are staying independently or in our homes, there is a security issue. Its a good idea to get helpers from a known, reputed Bureau and also get a police verification. Pune Police has a dedicated cell for senior citizens.
Here is a peculiar situation I have seen..
I know of an over 90-year old lady with many maladies associated with that age. Her son is past 70 years of age and also suffers from some heart issues. Possibly he too needs some care. He too must be living off his pension. The grandchildren must be in their late 40s and in critical stages of their own lives. In this case, on whom does the onus of care for the 90-year fall?
Where does the buck stop?
There is no one size fits all solution.
Every family has to find something that suits them best.
At best, posts such as mine will inspire a family to come up with their unique workable plan.
Sketch for today..
See you tomorrow folks. Stay happy!
What wonderful names for helpers ! Elderly care needs much patience, love and compassion. Well done.
Enjoy your AtoZ challenge.
Thank you Susan! So glad you could stop by!
While it's difficult to be caring for my husband and our children (1 of whom is special needs), we are so privileged to do so. Everyone pitches in. We are one of the rare remaining families who still all live within 5 miles of one another. His siblings and their spouses often help with meals. Once they came and had a cleaning day. One way to find good help is to ask the youth group at your church or a local church. Sometimes they will have their kids help the elderly in the community for service projects. Plus, you can pay them some money for mission trip funds, etc. Having Pets for Stress Relief