Family Involvement

Families run the gamut for how much they want to participate in their loved one’s life as the end nears. During my initial home visit, I specifically ask families how much contact they want from the caregivers who are taking care of their loved one.

I hear everything from “don’t bother us, that’s what we’re paying you to do” to “call me every day with an update”.  Most times though, it is somewhere in between.  I also encourage family members to make unannounced visits to check up on the caregiver.  I also do this and have the caregivers keep daily “nursing notes” so visitors can read about how the patient is doing.

We make no judgment about the level of family involvement and try to accommodate their wishes.

At a minimum, someone usually needs to pay the bills every so often unless a payroll company or fiduciary is hired. Most other responsibilities can be outsourced or handled by the caregiver or myself. Toward the very end, some families contact hospice for help. They specialize in “palliative care” which means keeping the patient as pain-free and comfortable as possible. Hospice provides a team of professionals who interact with those involved in the home care in order to make the transition as smooth as possible. 

In conclusion, family’s can be as involved as they wish. Those who serve seniors need to be aware how difficult it can be not only for the ailing senior, but for those around them who have their own set of needs, emotional and otherwise. Caregivers need to understand their job is to support and assist family members as well as their patient.