How To Organise Care to Meet the Changing Needs of Your Loved One

Is it time to arrange Domiciliary or Live-In Care for your loved one? Considering care options to meet the changing needs of your loved one is never an easy topic to broach, and it’s a sensitive subject to discuss. How do you know when it is the right time to seek help?

If circumstances have changed, it might become more apparent that intervention is needed. Care is not always an easy thing to organise, there are lots of steps to be taken, forms to be filled out and waiting lists to endure. Therefore, it’s good to start the process as early as you can rather than waiting for the need to be imminent.

Recognise the Signs

There are numerous signs to look out for, typically changes of behaviour from what you would normally expect, that will indicate that a need for care is arising:

• Unwashed dishes or unkept living areas. This can be a sign that your loved one needs some help with keeping on top of household chores.
• A backlog of bills to be paid that would not normally cause a problem. If bills are getting left and unpaid, and that is unusual for the individual, they may need some help dealing with the paperwork of life.
• An empty fridge and food cupboards. If your loved one doesn’t have enough food in the house, it’s a sign they are struggling to do their shopping and need some help doing the grocery run.
• A lack of interest in food. This can be an indication they are no longer finding joy in mealtimes and will need assistance in getting the nutrition they require.
• Missed appointments and arrangements. When doctors’ appointments are missed and social plans are forgotten about, it’s a sign that your loved one needs help remembering and attending items on their calendar.
• Sudden symptoms of depression. If your loved one begins to show signs of depression or an unwillingness to go out of the house, that can be a sign they need help to look after their mental health and perhaps get a bit more mental stimulation.
• Physical decline. When a person becomes frailer and more fragile, unable to perform everyday tasks, it’s important to heed this sign and get the help they need before they do any serious damage to themselves.

Now you’ve noticed the signs, what can you do to start the process of arranging care?

Talk It Through

Considering the changing needs and possible care options for your loved one is an emotional subject. Do your best to plan what you’re going to say beforehand to ensure that emotions don’t take over and the conversation becomes more stressful than it needs to be. Find the right time and location – choose an environment that’s most conducive to a calm and successful conversation. Don’t pressure yourself into discussing everything in one go, instead view it as a series of discussions to help everyone reach a satisfying conclusion. You could also choose to include a neutral party such as a GP, or involve other close relatives to help to ease the tension when discussing the changing needs of your loved one and the options available.

Think About the Finances

It’s never an easy thing to discuss and adding together both personal care and the subject of money can make for a difficult conversation. However, care is costly and it’s a conversation that needs to happen. There are things you can do to afford the cost of care for your loved one. If you set your personal budget from the outset, you will be able to find a package that suits your loved one and fits the budget. Try not too to worry too much about covering the cost of care as there are many financial support options available for those who are eligible for contributions, such as those provided by a local council or charity.