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31| The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,June 7,2018 theifp.ca Decisions about provid- ing care for an aging loved one are seldom easy. Vari- ous options exist in terms of elder care, including as- sisted living facilities and nursing homes. Seniors who are self-suf- ficient may be able to stay in a retirement community or active living building. In other instances, the best course of action is to have an elderly relative move in with family members. Over 8 million Canadi- ans over the age of 15 pro- vided care to a chronically ill or disabled friend or loved one, according to a 2012 Statistics Canada study. Care is defined as helping with feeding, bath- ing, dressing, and other personal care needs, going beyond driving a parent to appointments or helping them with financial mat- ters. Taking care of a senior requires a profound com- mitment and can complete- ly disrupt a person's life, both at home and at work. Men and women faced with caring for an aging parent at home may want to em- ploy several strategies to make that transition go as smoothly as possible.. Talk to the senior about your options. Making deci- sions together will be best for everyone involved. It can be challenging to dis- cuss mortality and wheth- er or not elderly parents or relatives can properly care for themselves. Broach the subject well in advance of making any plans so you will have some understand- ing of how the senior feels about the situation and what would make him or her most comfortable. Your parents may al- ready have a plan in place.. Establish a caregiving bud- get. Caring for the elderly is expensive. Before a senior can be welcomed into your home, you must first deter- mine which financial changes must be made to accommodate this person. Will a parent be contrib- uting to a portion of the ex- penses or paying rent? Is it feasible for you to re- duce hours at work to care for this individual? Once you have the numbers in black and white, you can better assess your situa- tion.. Make physical modifica- tions. Your home may not be equipped and safe for an elderly resident. You may need to add a private space for your parent or relative, and install night lights, se- cured railings, grab bars, ramps, a shower chair, and anti-slip surfaces. You may need to build an extension on the home or completely renovate what you have to make the space safe.. Aim for stability. Mov- ing and changing routines can be especially stressful for seniors who are used to their own schedules and habits. Transfer furniture and mementos from their home into yours. Encourage seniors to maintain a social schedule and invite friends over. Try to help your loved one keep his or her doctors and, if possible, take them to shop where they have shopped in the past. These opportunities will make the transition to a new home easier.. Discuss finances. It's essential to understand your loved one's financial situation. Make lists of his or her as- sets and any insurance pol- icies in his or her name. Un- derstand which health pro- cedures are covered and discuss ways to finance any procedures or medications that are not covered by your loved one's policy. Ask if your loved one wants you to manage his or her finances or when he or she may feel this is neces- sary. Professional help, such as an attorney, finan- cial planner or a geriatric care manager, can make it easier to understand the le- galities and subtleties of these arrangements.. Make time for yourself. Caring for the elderly can seem like a full-time job, and it's easy to forget yourself in the process. Make time for yourself so your own health is not sacrificed while you tend to your loved one. - MS SENIORS Is caring for an elderly relative at home your answer? 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