Tag: Elder Care in Brooklyn Park MN

Long-Term Care Awareness Month started 20 years ago. It’s a month dedicated to drawing attention to the need for long-term care planning.

You may not know how fast your parents’ savings will drain if there is a chronic health condition. To save money, many families opt to care for their parents on their own. However, that has an impact on your quality of life.

It would help if you made long-term care plans that cover everyone’s needs without causing undue financial or emotional strain. Take a look at the facts to see how important it is to discuss long-term care plans.

The Population of Older Adults Is Growing

There were over 54 million adults over the age of 64 in 2019. People live longer and often end up needing help due to common chronic health conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and stroke. This leaves many families to find care solutions when their parents struggle with activities of daily living.

Many Caregivers Are Still Working

Looking at caregivers’ ages, you’ll find that 44% of them are between the ages of 18 and 49, and 36% are 50 to 64. Many caregivers are still working and need that income and insurance benefits.

Family caregivers report caring for a parent for around four years on average. Almost three out of ten family caregivers say that the care extends beyond five years. For some, they’re caregivers for ten or more years. That’s a lot of time to have to take off work or work reduced hours to ensure there’s time to offer the necessary care.

Caregiving Can Require as Many Hours as a Part-Time Job Does

When asked about the number of hours they help care for their parents or other family members, caregivers reported an average of 22 hours. That’s essentially the same hours as a part-time job. It’s hard to work full-time and also provide the needed hours of care.

Use Elder Care to Find the Right Balance

Are your parents healthy, or do they have chronic health conditions? Sometimes, health care issues worsen as they progress. The need for care will increase.

This helps you create a care plan that considers the increasing need for care months or years from now. If you still work, you might not have the hours to devote to their care. Your brother or sister might, or your parents may need to consider elder care services.

Elder care services help you find the balance you need. While caregivers help your parents with their daily activities, you’re able to go to work, run errands, or go out with friends and family. Your parents are never alone, and you get to take breaks. Call an elder care agency to get started.

Sources:
https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/Aging%20and%20Disability%20in%20America/2020ProfileOlderAmericans.Final_.pdf
https://www.caregiving.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AARP1340_RR_Caregiving50Plus_508.pdf

If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care in Brooklyn Park, MN, and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.

A cluttered kitchen can be hazardous. If you are out of room for bottles of juice, it may be tempting to place them against the counter on the floor. That becomes a hazard. Crowded counters that have little space to place things may have your parents risking burns by placing hot pans on the edges of a sink or counter.

Kitchen storage is important when the goal is to keep the space clutter-free. Here are storage ideas that help keep the kitchen organized.

Use Plastic Storage Containers

In cabinets, pantry shelves, and refrigerators, use plastic storage bins to sort items and keep them contained. Put all smaller condiment containers together in a plastic bin. When something is needed, you pull out the bin and retrieve it. It’s better than digging through bottles that get pushed back and tip over and make messes.

Have a Space for Small Appliances That Aren’t Used Often

In a cabinet or pantry, you can put all baking ingredients like baking powder, baking soda, flour, and sugar in a covered bin. That keeps pantry pests out of them. Label each bin so that you can quickly find the items you need.

Place small appliances together in a tall cabinet. A pantry cabinet is the best spot to put small appliances that are used irregularly. A coffeemaker is typically used each day, but a toaster, stand mixer, and slow cooker probably are not. Have those in a cabinet where they’re easily accessible but not taking up counter space.

If your mom and dad’s kitchen doesn’t have a tall cabinet, aim for top shelves of cabinets. With a sturdy stool that has a bar to hold while climbing up and down, the appliances that aren’t often used are easy to retrieve.

Don’t Keep Items That Are Rarely Used

The only time your parents break out their good china is on holiday gatherings. The dishes take up an entire shelf in the kitchen and are only used once a year. It’s not always worth keeping those items.

If they’re attached and don’t want to part with the china, there’s another option. Remove them from the cupboard and put it in a plastic storage container that’s stored in the attic. It frees up cabinet space without requiring them to get rid of something with sentimental value.

Elder care aides can help your mom and dad keep the house clean and organized. When you have an organized kitchen and have elder care aides to help make sure everything is put away at the end of the day, you have a comprehensive plan in place to keep the kitchen a safe, enjoyable area for cooking and socializing.

If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care Brooklyn Park, MN, and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.