Developing a Partnership with Your Loved One’s Caregivers

Making the transition to a senior living community can be a difficult adjustment for any senior. If you have a loved one who is living with medical conditions that require skilled care or they have recently moved to a senior living community, they may have a hard time getting acclimated to having caregivers who are not family members. That can mean changes in the way care is provided, and it can lead a senior to feel overwhelmed or anxious. You can help ease that transition by developing a partnership with your loved one’s caregivers. Remember that you are a part of your loved one’s healthcare team, and you’ll need to stay engaged even as you hand off some of the more challenging aspects of care.. Here are some tips from the team at Summerset Senior Living that can help you learn how to work as a team with the people who will be providing care for your loved one.

Communication is Crucial

As is the case with any relationship, keeping lines of communication open is so important to achieving the best outcomes in senior care. Take the time to introduce yourself to  the people who will be caring for your loved one and let them know that you are available to answer any questions they may have. Whenever you have the opportunity, try to establish a personal connection with caregivers. Ask them about their hobbies, why they are passionate about caregiving, or just how they are doing. Nobody knows your loved one better than you, so maintaining a friendly relationship with their caregivers can be beneficial to everyone involved.

Stay Involved in Your Loved One’s Care

Just because your loved one has moved to a senior living community doesn’t mean you have to take yourself completely out of the care equation. Senior living communities offer many opportunities for you to stay involved, and you should take them whenever possible. Coordinate with your loved one’s caregiver to schedule a regular time when you can visit for a meal or just to talk. Your loved one may feel more comfortable sharing their concerns with you than they do with staff members. After your visit, you can speak with their caregivers about any issues they are experiencing and find a way to work through them. Seniors in memory care communities can also benefit a great deal from family visits; seeing a familiar face often helps them feel more lucid.

Respect Caregivers’ Recommendations

We know you care deeply for your loved one and that if you have acted as their primary caregiver for a long time, you may feel apprehensive about giving up the reins. Providing the best care means knowing when to take a step back and trust the knowledge and experience of your loved one’s caregiving team. Communicate, provide constructive feedback, but understand that caregivers have undergone specialized training to do what they do. Even if you disagree, it’s important that you respect caregivers and learn to work within the boundaries they have set.

Finding a Senior Living Community in California

You want the best care for your loved one, and the team at Summerset Senior Living can provide it. We take great pride in the work that we do at our communities in Rancho Cordova and Lincoln, California and we would be happy to show you. If you have a loved one who needs skilled medical care, call us at (916) 619-0494 or fill out the info form on our contact page to schedule a tour.