Senior Caregivers Will Benefit From These Tips During the Pandemic

The pandemic has affected everyone in different ways. For many seniors who are disabled or need daily care, it’s been a major challenge just to stay healthy, let alone make major decisions. When it’s time to think about long-term care or other big tasks, you’ll need to help with the planning and execution, and it’s important to be prepared. Talk to your loved one about their health and life insurance policies, find out where they keep important paperwork and get in touch with family members about things like downsizing, which can require moving, selling, or donating some of your loved one’s belongings and can be stressful for seniors. 

You can also think about what it will take to get their house in shape to sell, and American Kitchens & Stones can help you make much-needed updates or renovations in order to get the best price. Here are a few tips on how to help your senior loved one make big decisions during a particularly difficult time.

Consider selling carefully

Many seniors need financial assistance when it comes to paying for long-term care. While Medicaid can help, your loved one may need more to cover living expenses, and that’s where a home sale can come in handy. If they’re agreeable to selling, however, keep in mind that the pandemic has created shifts in the housing market that may make it difficult to sell depending on where you live. Consult a professional realtor who can help you make decisions and will have access to resources you may not. In Port St. Lucie, the average sale price for a home is about $273,000, but properties in the area may stay on the market for up to 50 days.

Prepare for a move

There are many things to consider when it comes to moving a loved one to assisted living, from finding the perfect home for them to taking care of their belongings and orchestrating the big day. Before you put the house on the market, talk to your loved one about what they’d like to take with them, and check with the facility to find out what’s allowed — some facilities have special rules during the pandemic about the types of belongings that can be brought in. 

Many seniors go through the downsizing process with their caregivers and make decisions about what to give to family members, what to donate, and what to sell. But if your loved one isn’t capable of making those decisions, you may need to arrange those tasks yourself or put things into storage.

Give options

Your loved one may have mood changes as plans are made for their long-term care, such as depression or anxiety, especially if they are unable to take a major role in the decision-making. Give them some options for staying in touch with friends and loved ones, such as a video chat app or device. Give them ways to stay connected with their interests and hobbies — such as music, gardening, or word games — as these will help with cognitive health, as well as relieve stress and anxiety.

Look for alternative funding

If selling the home isn’t an option at the moment, look for alternative funding for your senior loved one. There are several government programs that help older adults pay for care, necessities, and housing which are largely based on income and vary from state to state. There are also private loans and long-term care insurance — although your loved one would already need to have the policy to benefit from it.

Making decisions for a senior loved one takes a lot of patience and research, but with a good plan, you can ensure that they’re well taken care of during the pandemic. Get help from the pros when you’re ready to think about a major task, such as selling a home. Read up on the latest safety guidelines for assisted living facilities so you’ll have peace of mind about the move.

The article is courtesy of June Duncan and Rise up For Caregivers.

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