During a family conference, decide who will be the primary caregiver, and what role each member of the family will play in helping care for the aging parent. Everyone in the family, including teenage relatives and younger children, can help care for Grandma or Grandpa by making regular visits, calling on the telephone to chit chat, assisting with household chores, preparing nourishing meals, running errands, shopping for groceries, doing the laundry, supervising medications, trips to the doctor and so on.
Relatives that live further away can also contribute to the care of the aging parent by making regular phone calls, sending cards and letters, attaching recent photos or sending scrapbook collections of fun and happy times for the parent to enjoy. They can also make weekend trips to visit as often as possible. Dealing with elderly parents, and the numerous problems that often arise, should not be left entirely to the primary caregiver simply because they are living closer to the parent.
I have a lot on my plate with my parents. It is so very hard with all the care falling on my shoulders. Family that lives out of state doesn't really understand how worn out one person can become when it's two aging parents at once.
As always, I would love to hear from all of you...What Do You Want To Schmooze About?
Please contact me at mmorris358@aol.com
Can We Schmooze? SCHMOOZING IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL!!!
