Caregiver's Guide for Canadians

Book excerpt: One in five Canadians are now providing eldercare to a parent in need, and as baby-boomers age, this number is likely to grow. What do you do when your mother or father grows old? It’s the natural course of life, but so many children of aging parents are unprepared. When a parent’s health begins to fail, an adult child is left scrambling to find help, to balance their time, and to cope. The Caregiver’s Guide will provide readers with valuable tips and advice to help them to provide the best eldercare possible while balancing the demands on their time. This is not a mental “self-help” book. While it does provide encouragement and support for caregivers, it also provides practical advice on how to care for elders in need. This comprehensive guide answers all a caregiver’s common questions, such as: • Should my parent stay at home or move to assisted living? • How do I balance caregiving responsibilities with my personal life? • When to apply for guardianship and/or trusteeship • How to hire a professional caregiver should the need arise