Managing residential care choices for elderly parents
Autumna, a new website that assists self-funding families in their pursuit of the best residential care, has recently published a great post about the obstacles of having parents who require urgent support: https://www.autumna.co.uk/blog/how-your-life-feels-right-now/
It’s becoming more common for people to find themselves in a scenario where they must balance their own personal life with the demands of dependent children/grandchildren and elderly parents while still preserving their career. This scenario dubbed ‘the sandwich generation’ is a challenging period in life when pressures from the generation above and that below can severely impact quality of life for all.
It might be difficult to know where to begin in locating the best residential care option when elderly parents require more assistance and the time-consuming search is near impossible as a result of other responsibilities. Planning for the future requires awareness of what to search for and where to seek advice, and with so much information available, it may be intimidating.
The common issues and inquiries of family members in this scenario were addressed during a webinar with more than 300 participants who had responsibility for caring for their parents in the same situation. These were:
Providing support to parents
Making decisions on behalf of parents
Planning
Funding
Managing the emotional challenges
Understanding the different service options
Planning
When it comes to residential care, there’s a lot of value in planning ahead to avoid anxiety and stress later. Not everywhere will cater to every need, and the cost may differ over the course of your loved one’s treatment so it is a good idea to take into account both current and long term needs they have.
Understanding the different service options
What are the different types of residential care in Leicester that are available? When might I require them? What services are provided?
Not every care home provides every type of care service, therefore it’s a good idea to ‘future proof’ as much as possible. For example, you may need residential care suitable for a loved one who has early-onset dementia, but you are aware that it will get worse over time. As a result, you’ll need a dual-registered care home that offers residential, nursing, and specialised dementia care.
Funding
Care in the UK is means-tested. If your assets are less than £23,250, you may be eligible for state care funding. If your assets are greater than £23,250, you are considered a “self-funder” until the threshold of £23,250 is reached, at which time the Local Authority funding will take over. There are a variety of questions surrounding care financing and what you may be entitled to, so it’s a good idea to get independent financial advice based on your current situation.
You can learn more about your financial choices here: https://www.kirbygrangeresidentialhome.co.uk/financial-support/
Making decisions on behalf of parents
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is similar to having an insurance policy: you hope you’ll never have to use it, but if you do, it could make all the difference to you and your loved one. LPAs are not as challenging or costly as you may think and could save a lot of time, money and anxiety.
Managing the emotional challenges
It’s never easy dealing with the reversal of roles and honouring a loved one’s autonomy and independence, especially when their health deteriorates or a problem arises. It might be difficult to have tough conversations with a loved one about their requirements, and sometimes it may be necessary to overcome their obstinacy. It’s also crucial to remember that you and your own self-care are important too.
Providing support to parents
The majority of long-term care support for older individuals is provided by family members. Providing assistance to parents who are no longer able to do so on their own might be simple in some cases, but it may become difficult in later life. Don’t put it off until you’re overwhelmed; when you need assistance, reach out and ask for it, whether it’s from other family members, friends, experts, or local services.
If you’re thinking about Kirby Grange as your first choice for residential care homes in Leicester for elderly parent care, you can be certain that our professional and compassionate staff are here to provide skilled help and advice at every stage of the process.
