Caring for older relatives

Many older family members live independently and require no more support than any other relative. Some require a little help to stay independent, and others require more or less constant care.

It can be hard when a family member becomes more dependent on you for care. They may have been your main carer during your childhood, and becoming their caregiver can be upsetting.

Good communication is really important. If possible, include the person in discussions about their care. Find out what they want from their carers, as well as what they need. Try to share the caregiving with other family members, and talk with them often about the situation. They will be finding this hard, too. Elder Care Online has more on successful communication for carers.

Consider what level of care you can each offer, and find out what financial or practical assistance you are entitled to. The Carers.Net website has advice about financial assistance and information and resources for caregivers. This Age Concern article may help if your family member is thinking about moving into residential care.

Try to learn as much as you can about any illness or condition your family member has. Find a support group or website that can help you learn about cancer, Alzheimer’s, strokes or other situations.

And remember to take care of yourself, too. Take regular breaks and make time for yourself each day. The GrownUps website has more on this.