5 Things to Consider When Caring for Your Aging Spouse

By 9  am on

5 Tips on Providing Home Care to Your Elderly Spouse in Toronto, ON

When your spouse is no longer able to take care of him or herself, you may want to step in as the primary caregiver. Taking care of an aging loved one can become even more difficult when he or she is your spouse. Use the following tips to make your job as a spousal caregiver a little easier for both you and your partner.

1. Talk to Your Lawyers

Many seniors believe they will automatically be able to take care of their spouse’s legal and financial matters. However, being married does not always give you access to your spouse’s legal, financial, and medical affairs. It may be wise to obtain official guardianship if your spouse is no longer capable of taking care of him or herself.

Consider hiring a professional caregiver if you need a break from your caregiving duties to sort out your loved one’s legal and financial matters. Whether your elderly loved one needs part-time assistance with basic household chores or you need a break from your caregiving duties, the Toronto respite care experts at Home Care Assistance are here to help. All of our respite care services are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts.  

2. Help Your Spouse Maintain Dignity

Many seniors resist having their spouses help them with things like bathing or using the restroom because they are embarrassed. Try to be sensitive to your partner’s dignity, and offer reassurance that these tasks will not make you think any less of him or her. If your spouse cannot get over the embarrassment in these types of situations, it might be helpful to hire a caregiver to take over these tasks.

Families looking to hire a Toronto caregiver can reach out to Home Care Assistance. All of our hourly and live-in caregivers receive extensive ongoing training to ensure they provide the high-quality in-home care seniors need and deserve.

3. Check Local Programs

It may be possible to get a little extra assistance if you are caring for your spouse. Many types of insurance and government programs allow seniors to receive funds that pay for their spousal caregivers. Even if you are not eligible for these programs, it is still a good idea to be aware of the senior assistance plans available in your area.

4. Join a Support Group

Being a caregiver for a spouse can cause great physical and mental strain. Many spouses report they feel isolated and underappreciated because people naturally assume a spouse ought to be taking care of his or her partner. It can be helpful to talk to others who understand the situation you are going through. A spousal caregiver support group can provide much-needed emotional support and advice on how to care for your spouse.

5. Take Time to Interact as Spouses

It can be easy to get distracted by all the minutiae of caregiving, but do not forget your most important relationship is that of a spouse, not a caregiver. Take time to interact with your partner outside of caregiving duties. You can spend quality time together by participating in hobbies, going on dates, or just sitting and holding hands. Some spouses find it helpful to hire a respite caregiver who can give them a break from caregiving duties.

Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Toronto in-home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your elderly loved one, give us a call at (416) 488-8777 today.

Request Free Information or
Schedule a Free in-Home Consultation