Get Help Caring for Aging Parents

Her home used to be spotless, but now Mom has trouble doing the most basic housekeeping tasks. Dad is increasingly absent minded, even forgetting to pay his utility bills. Is it time to find help caring for your aging parent or elderly spouse?  

Whether it is triggered by a crisis -- such as a serious fall -- or a slow decline in health, the search for elder care can be stressful and confusing. How do you know your family member needs help and where do you turn to find assisted living, home care or services for Alzheimer's patients?

Some of the warning signs that an aging parent of spouse may need help can seem minor and others may be more alarming signals. Changes adult children or spouses should look for include:

* Personal hygiene problems;
* Home in disarray and needing to be cleaned;
* Significant weight loss or weight gain;
* Failure to manage medications or medical appointments;
* Increased difficulty with mobility;
* Changes in mood or overall behavior;
* Increased forgetfulness and financial difficulties, such as missed bill payments;
* Decreased social activities and self-isolation.

When you see these behavioral changes in a spouse or parent, it's natural to turn to the Internet to get educated. The Web is a great source for information, but the sheer amount of it can be overwhelming, especially if you need to find elder care quickly. But an Internet-based service such as ElderCarelink provides free referrals to elder care service providers that range from assisted living facilities to in-home care and medical equipment.

When you visit the site, you'll answer a series of questions to get the help you need quickly. You've got a lot on your plate with work and family, so you are looking for help and good advice. ElderCarelink's detailed needs survey allows you to spell out your loved one's elder care needs then puts you directly in touch with local providers who are able to help.  

ElderCarelink has established a nationwide network of carefully screened elder care providers and facilities. Within minutes of completing the needs survey, you will receive an email report listing care providers in your area matched to your specific requirements. To date, more than 350,000 families have used this free service in their search for high-quality senior care.


If you’re caring for aging parents, you don’t have to go it alone. Log on to www.eldercarelink.com to find high-quality, elder care providers near you. Copyright © 2008, ARAnet, Inc.