When a parent or family starts to require extra support and assistance, you might find yourself taking on the role of caregiver. In this case, a caregiving plan can help you outline your loved one’s needs, determine how to meet them, and plan for the future.
Brickmont Assisted Living is proud to offer assisted living services in the Atlanta area, and we want to help family caregivers confidently step into this role. We’re sharing how a caregiving plan can assist you on your senior care journey, how to create one that fits your goals and schedule, and how this can benefit your loved one’s health.
What is a Caregiving Plan?
A caregiving plan can easily be confused with a plan of care, which is typically mapped out by a medical professional or a doctor and differs greatly. Instead, a caregiving plan is meant to help you prepare for non-medical needs, assist with planning for outside support, and plan for future needs and wishes.
A caregiving plan can consist of the following:
- Organization of daily tasks and care procedures
- Keep track of your personal and caregiving schedules to avoid missing appointments or other important events
- Take notes of any worsening or improving symptoms to share during medical appointments
- Help you build up a support system and a care team in case you aren’t able to be there for your loved one
- Learn your loved one’s wishes for future care
This type of plan can help you avoid caregiver stress or burnout and minimize the risk of communication issues that could arise between others involved.
Things to Consider
Physical Health
Establishing a caregiving plan starts with understanding your loved one’s needs. Consider your loved one’s physical health, as well as their ability to complete daily tasks, manage their home, and properly care for themselves.
Vision loss, hearing problems, arthritis, and other health concerns, like diabetes or heart conditions, can require medications and doctor visits to keep them under control.
Here are a few questions to consider:
- Do they need help with medication management?
- Are they able to safely move around independently?
- Are they experiencing any physical pains or discomfort?
Being able to answer these questions can help you assess the level of care and support they need at this time. In addition, certain health conditions, such as dementia, will progress, so consider what the caregiving plan will look like now and in the future.
Mental Health
A person’s mental wellness is just as important as their physical wellness. If your loved one is experiencing feelings of anxiety, depression, or stress, it’s important to incorporate strategies into your plan.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What could be causing their feelings of anxiety or stress? For instance, did they recently experience a change in health or the loss of a partner/friend/family member?
- Would they benefit from professional help?
- How can I make these feelings better for my loved one?
When we think of caregiving, we often associate the physical aspects, but a caregiver should also promote mental wellness. “Mental health is important at every stage of life. Effective treatment options are available to help older adults manage their mental health and improve their quality of life. Recognizing the signs and seeing a health care provider are the first steps to getting treatment (nimh.nih.gov).”
When is it Time for Assisted Living?
Jumping into the role of a caregiver shouldn’t be taken lightly and requires thoughtful deliberation.
- Does your current work schedule allow enough time to care for your loved one?
- Are you financially secure enough to provide proper care?
- Will your loved one eventually require professional support?
If you’ve answered “no” to any of these questions, you might not be in the position to serve as your loved one’s primary caregiver. This is okay! If you don’t have the time or resources to become a caregiver, it’s best to start working on another plan to ensure your loved one receives the best care possible. It’s better to be honest with yourself and your family about your abilities than jump into the role and realize it isn’t a good fit later down the road.
Assisted living communities can provide the support and care your loved one needs while ensuring they have every opportunity to enhance their lifestyle, enjoy enriching programs, and engage in meaningful relationships.
At Brickmont Assisted Living, resident well-being is the core of all we do in our assisted living communities throughout Atlanta. Our philosophy is simple - we want people to “Live Where They’re Loved,” and our quality service, authentic hospitality, and compassionate care make all the difference.
We invite you to discover assisted living at Brickmont by scheduling a tour of one of our communities today.
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