Family meetings are necessary to discuss a senior’s current medical needs as well as finances, living arrangements, and social events. Arranging these meetings can be challenging, especially for people with hectic schedules. Below are some tips to use when holding a family meeting about a senior loved one.
1. Be Flexible
The dates, times, and locations of caregiver meetings will likely change due to the attendees’ personal and professional schedules. What works one month may be more challenging the next month. It would be best to vote on the day and time for the next meeting after each group session. More flexibility can increase attendance among family caregivers.
If family members aren’t able to help you care for your parent, consider hiring a professional home caregiver. 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.
2. Remain Open-Minded
Allowing everyone to voice their opinions is one of the most vital aspects of a family meeting. When your siblings feel like their thoughts and wishes are being ignored, it could reduce their likeliness of helping out more or attending future meetings. Remaining open-minded can alleviate stress and strengthen bonds.
3. Discuss Topics at an Acceptable Pace
Speaking about multiple subjects could make the meeting seem more stressful and chaotic, which is why your family should try to discuss one topic at a time. If your group is up for more subjects, take them on at an acceptable pace. The objective is to make the meeting easy to follow. Focusing on too many tasks can lead to burnout and prompt your siblings to leave the meeting sooner without making important decisions.
4. Create Accessible Options
Although in-person meetings may work for you, it might be impossible for others, particularly those with hectic schedules or caregivers who live far away. To handle these problems, create multiple meeting options. For example, you can use video chat apps that allow caregivers to connect and speak with each other in real time, regardless of their location. If some people prefer to meet in person, video and conference call options should be available for those unable to physically travel to the meeting.
Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Montgomery, AL, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.
5. Take Breaks
Discussions can become complex or argumentative. Therefore, taking breaks to allow the atmosphere to calm down is often necessary. Those moments can be brief or last longer than 15 minutes, depending on the circumstances. In some cases, your family may need to stop entirely and meet again on another day. It’s never a good idea to continue when tensions are high. These situations can escalate, and hurtful things may be said or done, which doesn’t benefit your parent. Once everyone has calmed down and cleared their minds, the discussion can continue.
6. End with a Fun Activity
The topics discussed in the meeting may be overwhelming, causing you and your siblings to feel sad or stressed, but doing something fun can alleviate those negative emotions. You can play a game, watch a fun film, eat dinner together, or enjoy another activity that enhances the mood. Always choose something everyone enjoys, and incorporate enough time for the activity when you plan the meeting.
Managing an aging adult’s care alongside other important responsibilities can be overwhelming, but help is available. The type of senior home care Montgomery, AL, seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Home Care Assistance, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time. To learn about our quality-assured services, give us a call at (334) 593-3988 today.