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What Questions Should Your Parent Ask About Their Health Diagnosis?

Regardless of what it is, receiving a diagnosis of a health issue is an important moment. For both your elderly loved one and you, whether your senior is diagnosed with a serious chronic condition or a minor illness, knowing everything you can about the diagnosis is a critical step in ensuring that they get the care and management they need to deal with this diagnosis in the proper way.

 

Senior Care in Anchorage AK: Senior Health Tips

Senior Care in Anchorage AK: Senior Health Tips

 

Some questions that your parent should ask about their health diagnosis include:

 

• What is it exactly? This should include not just what it is called, but what that means

• How will it affect me? Find out how the issue impacts the body’s functioning, as well as symptoms they might face

• How long will it last? Knowing this will not only prepare both of you for how long the care might take but also give you a basis for knowing if your parent is not recovering well and may need further care and attention

• Could it be anything else? Knowing if there are any other potential options can allow you to monitor your parent’s health and condition throughout the experience so that you can get them further care or a modified diagnosis if needed

• What types of treatments are available? Your parent may have options, finding out what types of treatments are available can give them the chance to make decisions that are right for them

• What one did the doctor choose? If the doctor has prescribed medication or treatments for your parent, they should know what they are and why those were chosen

• What type of care is needed? Start building your care approach immediately by finding out if your parent would benefit from additional support, such as from a home care provider, and what specific care efforts they will need

 

How can a home care provider help?

Starting home care for your aging parent can make a tremendous difference in their health, well-being, and quality of life as they age in place. An in-home senior care services provider can be there for your parent on a completely customized schedule to ensure that your parent gets all of the care that they need, but that you are also kept at the forefront of their care routine.

This care provider will provide your parent with a highly personalized set of services tailored specifically to your loved one’s needs, challenges, and limitations, as well as their personality, preferences, and goals. Through this support, which can include reliable transportation, assistance with activities of daily living, and companionship, your parent can experience more independence, activity, and fulfillment while staying healthy and safe.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring senior care in Anchorage, AK, call us! The friendly staff at Shine Bright Care are here to answer your questions.
Call toll-free – (888) 264-5998

 

 

Baykham Keodouangdy - Program Administrator
Baykham Keodouangdy - Program Administrator
Baykham Keodouangdy - Program Administrator In reflecting on this journey, my home care career, I cannot help but think of my parents. I assisted alongside my sister, to care for them during their last years. Both mother and father had suffered a stroke, heart attacks, diabetes, dementia, hypertension and many more complications that I cannot even imagine going through. Life as a caregiver was not easy but it was something that you just had to do, especially for your parents. Both my parents needed full-time 24-7 care, meaning they could not do anything for themselves. Every day my sister would care for them, whether it was assisting them to medical appointments, cooking and cleaning, bathing and showering, or transferring from wheelchair to bed. It was their complete care for all activities of daily living. I think of my parents often. My father passed in 2012 and my mother recently passed in 2015. I would give anything to have them back. That would be selfish to say, as it would have meant them suffering and not living a full life. I know they are in heaven smiling down. With the experience of caring for my parents, I was able to secure a job as a direct support professional. I was later offered a job as a case manager and excelled to become a team leader. Gradually I was promoted to being a care coordinator and from then on, I just knew this was meant for me. This is my calling; this is my life’s purpose. I went on to experience greater things in this field of Human Services. To care and help individuals and families find support and services needed to navigate the system to meet their needs, is such an honor and rewarding experience to be involved in. I look back, and a decade has passed since I started and it is now 2017. I would love to thank my parents for giving me the opportunity to have the experience of caring for them and go on to do something great with helping others find care and support in the community.