Advice for caregivers

There are usually signs which suggest your elderly relative or loved one needs support and care and usually it results in an accident or bereavement to bring the topic to attention. At Tendercare we recognise it is not always easy to think about placing a parent or partner into care, but sometimes it is the best option.

Signs to look out for include:

  • Changes in behaviour such as paranoia, forgetfulness or confusion
  • Poor self-hygiene, unwashed clothes, dirty surroundings
  • Being unable to manage: paying bills, keeping things tidy, losing things
  • Not eating properly or low activity levels

Although these signs on their own don’t mean you should place someone into care, they do suggest you should at least discuss it. Sometimes it can be years before families admit they need to do something, but it is better to take action rather than ignore the problem.

Putting someone into care

Talking with a loved one or partner about placing them into care should always be approached in a comforting and unforced way. You need to consider the signs as listed above and what support is available. Sometimes it helps to have a trained medical professional assist. The main priority is the well-being of the person and so this should always be the main consideration.

Very often old people may feel they are a burden on their children or family members. Family members may feel that they are forcing their loved ones out. Feelings of guilt or abandoning someone are normal, but placing someone into a care home where they can be well looked after and surrounded by others in a similar position can be the best thing.

There is also the question of how to pay for care and this can sometimes be a tricky question to answer. Care costs can be significant so take time to learn about the costs and how this will affect your financial situation.

How we can help

If you are thinking of placing a loved one into care then we are here to support you. Call Tendercare to discuss any concerns you have and we can point you in the right direction. Our team are trained to deal with the elderly and we want to help make your decision as easy as possible. Just call us on 0121 561 4984
or email us for advice.