{"id":5055,"date":"2023-11-16T06:18:48","date_gmt":"2023-11-16T14:18:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/?p=5055"},"modified":"2023-11-16T06:25:53","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T14:25:53","slug":"quality-of-life-beyond-retirement-planning-care-for-aging-family-members","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/quality-of-life-beyond-retirement-planning-care-for-aging-family-members\/","title":{"rendered":"Quality of Life Beyond Retirement: Planning Care for Aging Family Members\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Summary<\/strong>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>\u2022Planning ahead for your aging loved one\u2019s care is essential if you want to ensure they can fully embrace and enjoy their golden years.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>\u2022Having open and honest conversations with aging relatives and family caregivers can help you prepare this plan.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>\u2022Part of your plan should be assessing the needs of the aging adult and anticipating which areas of their lives they will need assistance with.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><p>As adult children, we may find ourselves facing a journey of caring for our aging loved ones.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p>It\u2019s both a privilege and a responsibility to ensure that their golden years are filled with love, comfort, and support.<\/p><p>Part of this responsibility is planning ahead for the emotional, physical, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/the-psychological-changes-of-aging-what-to-expect\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">psychological changes<\/a> that happen with age.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p>In this article, we outline practical ways to develop a care plan and how LogicMark can help ensure your loved ones are safe so they can enjoy this time&nbsp;in their lives.&nbsp;<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a Care Plan and Why is it Important?\u00a0<\/h2><p>An aging adult care plan is a little bit like a strategy for addressing the evolving needs of elderly people as they navigate the later stages of their lives.&nbsp;<\/p><p>A care plan helps you consider the medical, financial, and emotional well-being of an aging loved one. The main goal of this plan is to ensure their dignity, independence, and comfort.&nbsp;<\/p><p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/aging\/publications\/features\/caregivers-month.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> (CDC), a care plan can reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations. It also supports family caregivers so you can stay healthy and happy, too.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Your care plan needs to consider:&nbsp;<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Who their caregiver will be&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n<li>How they will be supported emotionally, financially, and physically&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n<li>Who will be responsible for assisting them when they need help&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul><p>Always try your best to honor the wishes and requests of your aging loved one \u2014 this is the most important part of your plan.&nbsp;<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to Start with Your Care Plan: Open and Honest Communication&nbsp;<\/h2><p>The best care plans start with honest and open communication. Before you begin planning, you should have a discussion with the elderly person you\u2019re creating a plan for.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p>You also need to have a conversation with your family members.&nbsp;<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Have a conversation with your aging loved ones&nbsp;<\/h3><p>You shouldn\u2019t make any plans or decisions about the care of an aging loved one without speaking to them about it first.&nbsp;<\/p><p>We know that these may be tough conversations to have, but it\u2019s important that you get a clear understanding of what they envision for their future.&nbsp;<\/p><p>You want your aging loved one to be completely comfortable with the decisions you make and feel like their wishes are being respected.&nbsp;<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hold a family meeting&nbsp;<\/h3><p>The next step in your aging adult care plan is to meet with everyone who will be involved with supporting your elderly relative.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p>We understand that family meetings can be difficult to navigate. Here are some tips for a successful family meeting about a care plan:&nbsp;<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Strive for honesty and transparency in your communication. Try to encourage everyone present to participate in the discussion.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n<li>Plan an agenda for your meeting so that you cover all the important points relating to your aging loved one\u2019s care.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n<li>Many families make the mistake of having this meeting once and not communicating about the care plan again. Be sure to keep everyone updated and involved through regular communication.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Consult healthcare providers and social workers&nbsp;<\/h3><p>You may want to involve a social worker in your planning. They can help you make decisions and locate resources to help you pay for care.&nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull size-full has-custom-border\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/woman-hands-cellphone-laptop.jpg\" alt=\"A woman holds a cellphone while sitting in front of a laptop. \" class=\"wp-image-5057\" style=\"border-radius:20px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/woman-hands-cellphone-laptop.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/woman-hands-cellphone-laptop-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p>For example, they can provide input on:&nbsp;<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Planning for incontinence&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n<li>Managing diseases such as Alzheimer\u2019s or dementia&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n<li>Providing physical assistance based on your loved one\u2019s age and medical requirements&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Assess Your Aging Loved One\u2019s Needs&nbsp;<\/h2><p>Once you&#8217;ve had these important conversations, the next step in your planning should be assessing your aging relative&#8217;s needs.&nbsp;<\/p><p>You\u2019re going to need to think about their daily living, where they\u2019re going to need support, and the tasks they may be unable to do as they age.&nbsp;<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Personal care needs&nbsp;<\/h3><p>Will your aging loved one have trouble bathing or getting dressed? Are there aspects of their personal care that they\u2019ll need assistance with?&nbsp;<\/p><p>You might want to plan to get a paid caregiver or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/what-do-home-health-aides-do\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">home health aide<\/a> for a few hours a day to help with these tasks.&nbsp;<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Household responsibilities&nbsp;<\/h3><p>Does your aging family member need help tackling household chores, grocery shopping, or yard work?&nbsp;<\/p><p>You may want to think about using a grocery delivery service on a regular basis to have food delivered to their home.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p>You can also arrange for a cleaning and gardening service to visit a few times a month to help with these tasks.&nbsp;<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meals and nutrition&nbsp;<\/h3><p>Ensuring your aging loved one gets all the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/how-to-get-your-aging-loved-one-to-eat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">calories and nutrients they need to remain health<\/a>y can be stressful.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p>If your nearby community center offers this, arrange for a relative to eat there a few times a week.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p>You may also want to get a family member to help cook a few meals or join your aging loved one at mealtimes.&nbsp;<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Financial affairs&nbsp;<\/h3><p>Are you worried that your aging family member won\u2019t remember to pay utility bills or that they may have difficulties <a href=\"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/helping-seniors-cut-costs-save-money-and-live-well-on-a-budget\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">managing money<\/a>?&nbsp;<\/p><p>It\u2019s important that you speak to your aging loved one about who should handle their finances. You want to choose someone that they trust to give them total peace of mind.&nbsp;<\/p><p>In terms of paying for any care they may need, you might want to speak to geriatric care managers in your area about the benefits, social security, Medicare, and resources available to aging adults.&nbsp;<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Health and medication&nbsp;<\/h3><p>You need to find out from your aging loved one\u2019s doctor exactly what medication they need to take and specific dosage instructions if they have any health conditions.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p>You\u2019ll also want to establish what kind of care they need in relation to their health so that you can prepare for this.&nbsp;<\/p><p>For example, if your aging relative has Alzheimer&#8217;s disease, there is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/caring-for-alzheimers-patients-at-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">specific care that they will need at home<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p><p>It\u2019s also important to think about having someone in your family accompany your aging loved one to their doctor\u2019s appointments to take note of any advice or recommendations they give.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Safety and security&nbsp;<\/h3><p>More than anything, you want your aging loved one to be as safe as possible, whether they\u2019ll be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/aging-in-place-checklist-what-do-i-need-to-cover\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">aging in place<\/a> or moving to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/assisted-living-alternatives-what-are-the-best-options\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">assisted living<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p><p>One of the best ways to plan for your aging loved one\u2019s care is to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/fall-prevention-checklist-for-aging-adults\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ensure their physical environment<\/a> is set up to prevent things like falls and accidents.&nbsp;<\/p><p>If your aging loved one has dementia or any other condition that affects their cognitive abilities, there are certain <a href=\"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/dementia-home-safety-checklist-how-to-dementia-proof-your-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">steps you need to take<\/a> to ensure that their home is safe.&nbsp;<\/p><p>You may also want to consider <a href=\"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/product-category\/medical-alert-devices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">investing in a medical alert device<\/a> that your aging loved one can wear so that help is available at the touch of a button.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><p>Depending on the device and how it\u2019s set up, a medical alert device enables your loved one to connect to emergency services or their caregiver in the event of an emergency. &nbsp;<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Put Together Your Loved One\u2019s Care Team&nbsp;<\/h2><p>Now that you have a clearer picture of what your aging family member\u2019s specific needs are, it\u2019s time to put a team in place to help care for them.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Your team may include a primary caregiver, geriatric care managers, a home health aide, and health care professionals.&nbsp;<\/p><p>You want your aging loved one to get the quality care they deserve, and putting some thought into their care team can go a long way to ensure this is what they get.&nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Key Point: Write It Down<\/strong>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>Write down your entire care plan for your aging loved one.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>From who takes care of each responsibility to the services you hire, and even their wishes for life-sustaining treatment \u2014 write down your entire care plan for your aging loved one.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>Having everything recorded in one place makes it easier for multiple family members to work together to care for your aging relative.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Ultimate Safety Companion for Older Adults&nbsp;<\/h2><p>At LogicMark, we understand that one of the main concerns you may have when it comes to caring for your aging family members is their safety.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull size-full has-custom-border\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/smiling-older-younger-men.jpg\" alt=\"A older and younger man put their arms around each other as they smile. \" class=\"wp-image-5058\" style=\"border-radius:20px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/smiling-older-younger-men.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/smiling-older-younger-men-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><p>That\u2019s why we\u2019ve developed the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/product\/freedom-alert-plus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Freedom Alert Plus<\/a>, an intelligent medical alert device that can be worn around the neck or attached to a belt.&nbsp;<\/p><p>This technology connects your aging relative to emergency services or their loved ones when they need it. And, with built-in fall detection, you can rest assured they\u2019ll get help right away.&nbsp;<\/p><p>The Freedom Alert Plus is also designed to give your aging loved one independence and a sense of safety as they enjoy their golden years.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Shop the Freedom Alert Plus and our other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">medical alert devices<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As adult children, we may find ourselves facing a journey of caring for our aging loved ones<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":5056,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[52,54],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5055","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-caregivers","category-technology-for-aging-adults"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5055","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5055"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5055\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5056"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5055"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5055"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.logicmark.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}