We are part of the first generation in human history that could spend more time caring for our elderly parents than caring for our children. Today, more than two million Australians are over 70 years of age and seniors are likely to make up almost 30% of the population by the year 2050. The implications of this are not just political; they are very personal. At some stage in life, most of us will help an elderly friend, parent, partner, relative or spouse make important decision about their health and well being, personal care, housing, finances, legal affairs and end of life care. Having witnessed her own elderly grandmother lose independence very quickly, and the physical and emotional turmoil it threw her family into, Kate Sumner, a naturopath with a practice focusing on wellbeing for women and seniors, decided to collate an extensive guide that asks the questions her family found themselves facing.
Her book, Caring for Your Elderly Parent, addresses the concerns that lots of people have - how best can I help my parent as they age? How do I care for my parent and keep them safe, while also respecting and supporting their ongoing independence? How do I make sure they get the right kind of care while protecting their autonomy and preferences right to the end?
Here are some of Kate's TOP TIPS
For Elderly People:
1. Prepare your will properly and fairly, and update it whenever necessary, particularly if you are leaving your family a lot of money or property.
2. Talk to your family about your dying wishes: like whether you want to be resuscitated, or put on life support, and when to stop medical treatment and focus on comfort and quality of life instead. Talk about it early, ideally before you are actually facing those decisions
For Carers:
1. If you need urgent help with aged care, ring the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222.
2. Put together an emergency kit: your parent’s front door key; check-in plan; emergency phone numbers; copies of important documents.
3. Involve the whole family when you hold a family meeting to plan aged care. Involve your parent in every decision - it is their life, after all.
4. Nominate one family member to talk with your parent for the whole family.
5. One of the most important things you can do to help your parent stay out of an aged care home is to make their home safer and reduce the risk of falls. Encourage your parent to stay fit and healthy and keep doing what they love in life.
6. There’s no best or easiest time to move your parent into an aged care home - it’s a difficult and often unavoidable decision for every family.
7. Make time to say everything you want to say to your parent, to help them fulfil any remaining goals and to celebrate their life and legacy.
Caring for your Elderly Parent: a practical guide for Australian families, Woodslane Press, RRP: $29.95, available at bookstores or www.caringforyourelderlyparent.com.au
