Being a family caregiver can be challenging, and it can become even more complicated when you care for two senior parents. However, with practical strategies and full commitment, you can continue living a healthy life and provide both your loved ones with adequate care. Here are some tips you can use when caring for two senior loved ones.

Schedule Appointments on Different Days

Although you should plan your loved ones’ errands around your schedule, you shouldn’t try to do everything at once. If your mother has to go to the doctor, don’t schedule your father’s appointment on the same day, even if they have the same primary care physician. You never know what the doctor will require that could cause a change in plans. For example, if the doctor requires your mother to get further testing at a local hospital, you’ll need to leave immediately, which could mean canceling your father’s appointment.

Waterloo elder care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.

Use One Pharmacy

It’s common for older adults to take multiple medications. Managing those prescriptions can be difficult for family caregivers who are caring for two older loved ones. To simplify the medication management process, you should use one pharmacy when filling your parents’ prescriptions, as this can prevent you from forgetting an order and disrupting their treatments. The pharmacist will get to know you and your loved ones and can provide tips or call with reminders about the medications.

Avoid Limitations

If one of your parents has difficulty moving around, simplify his or her activities. However, the other parent’s social and physical activities shouldn’t be limited if he or she is in good health. Limiting what one parent can do based on another parent’s health abilities is unfair. Your loved ones deserve to continue doing as much as they can for as long as they can. If one parent enjoys taking walks, cycling, and dancing, encourage him or her to continue doing these physical activities. Limiting activities could increase the rate of cognitive decline and lead to poor mental and emotional health.

Caring for two parents with different levels of ability can be a challenge for one person to handle, and a professional caregiver can be a wonderful addition to your caregiving team. When researching agencies that provide elder care, Waterloo families are usually looking for flexible care plans, compassionate and highly trained caregivers, and 24/7 availability. Whether you need respite care to take a break from your caregiving duties or your senior loved one needs around-the-clock assistance at home, you can rely on Home Care Assistance.

Use Home Care Services

Hiring a professional caregiver to step in and help with daily tasks is a good idea when caring for two seniors, especially when your siblings and other family members are unable to help out more. You should have the caregiver help with the tasks that give you the most difficulty instead of choosing simple activities you can handle with little or no assistance. Hiring a caregiver allows your parents to stay at home or your residence instead of going to a retirement facility or nursing home while you continue working, going to caregiver support groups, and handling other commitments.

For some families, caring for senior loved ones can be overwhelming at times. Luckily, they can rely on professional respite care. Waterloo, ON, Home Care Assistance is a trusted name in respite and hourly care. Our caregivers are available around the clock to assist seniors with bathing, transportation, medication reminders, exercise, and much more, allowing families the time they need to focus on other important responsibilities or just take a break. Home Care Assistance can be your trusted partner in caregiving for your aging loved one. Contact one of our experienced Care Managers today at (647) 992 0224 to learn more about our reliable in-home care services.