Elder care planning is an important part of long-term care. However, a lot of people overlook elder care planning as they plan for other life stages such as homeownership, the college education of their children, and retirement. Thus, decisions regarding the long-term care of seniors are usually made at the last minute. However, as people get aged, families must prioritize elder care solutions. You can learn more about the importance of elder care planning below:
What Should an Elder Care Plan Include?
Elder care plans help older adults live a healthy life. It covers long-term care planning, life-sustaining treatment, and estate planning. Usually, family caregivers make plans to make sure the needs of their senior loved ones are met. But discussions about elder care solutions must be discussed by both parties in detail. Usually, the perfect person to implement some of the steps of an elder care plan must be implemented by a professional.
Getting an Elder Care Plan on Track
When creating an elder care plan, the steps below must be taken:
- Organizing the paperwork. All legal documents must be up to date. The designated advocate should have copies of the senior’s identification, health documents, and financial documents. A senior should discuss their financial affairs with at least one adult child.
- Coordinating all caregivers. In an elderly care plan, the senior in question should give consent to all decisions made by their advocate. Also, both the senior and the advocate must make shared decisions about the needs and future wishes of the senior. But if the senior has mental incapacitation like dementia, the guardian must make these decisions for them. All of the people who offer care to the elderly person should be informed to minimize conflict. Also, one person must be appointed to coordinate discussions and facilitate communication among members.
- Explaining the role the caregiver plays. Whether an elder care plan includes letting a family member care for a senior or hiring a caregiver, the responsibilities of the caregiver must be explained. The caregiver will prepare the senior’s meals and feed them. Also, they will administer medication and determine symptoms that require attention. The caregiver should understand the emotional needs of the senior. If family members find the need of the senior overwhelming, they may need to admit their loved one to an elder care facility. Thus, when planning for elder care, the team must re-assess the plan and adjust it to the needs of the senior and the caregiver. With a well-thought-out plan, families can collaborate and improve the quality of life of their senior loved one.
