Action step six: Do a weekly schedule for moms care

This schedule should consist of who is visiting her, family, and friends, medical. It should list when she gets her medicines, baths, laundry, and special diet restrictions and be a useful tool for everyone.

If you are fortunate enough to have help from your family, list all the times family members will commit to taking mom out or just visiting her. If Friday is the day her friend will be picking her up to go play bingo, list that too. If your brother is picking her up to stay with his family for the next weekend, list that too. You might even want to make that list available on line for everyone’s conveience. Maybe make a website for mom!! www.grannyannie.com as an example.

By designing a schedule, you will assure that you will get help carting for your mother and know when you can take a break as well.

Lesson Six: Seeking outside help…

Even the caregiver needs time off. Chances are that your family has one primary caregiver, more often than not, it is the youngest sibbling. It is crucial for the caregiver to have a break. There are many places mom can visit to give you a break. How about visiting an out of town relative? Taking a trip with a friend; playing bingo; church gatherings and activity groups; adult day care to name a few.
Earlier we mentioned asking your family for help. In this section we will provide additional solutions to helping take care of your mom.

If mom was just released form a hospital stay, you can arrange for some home care. Check her insurance to make sure the home care is covered. When my mom came home after her heart surgery, we had visiting nurses, physical therapists as well as nurse’s aids to give mom a bath and general conversation. Check with your hospital and ask who takes car of home visits for your moms health care personnel.