Being responsible for your senior loved one’s healthcare can be stressful. You want to be sure they’re getting the best care, but it’s also challenging to do everything yourself. Fortunately, there are things you can do to lighten the load. Here’s how today’s caregivers are navigating healthcare for their beloved seniors.

Check for All Available Benefits

The first step savvy caregivers take in navigating healthcare for their beloved seniors is checking for all available benefits. When you’re responsible for your loved one’s medical care, every benefit helps relieve the physical and financial burden you’re facing. So check whether your senior loved one is eligible for benefits like home care, chronic disease and disability, and palliative care.

Remember to check for extended healthcare benefits, too. These help cover your beloved senior’s medical equipment, dental care, prescriptions, and eye care. And that’s particularly helpful because without benefits, those expenses quickly add up. 

Take Advantage of the Seniors and Elders Community Day Program 

Every caregiver needs a break. It’s difficult to provide care for a loved one 24/7, and it’s all too easy to burn out. That’s why both you and your beloved senior benefit from having time to rest and recharge. And one of the simplest ways to carve out some free time for yourself is to take advantage of the Seniors and Elders Community Day Program.

The program only costs $5 per day and runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, making it a perfect choice if you need to work or want to have time to run errands, participate in a hobby, or even take a nap during the day. And it’s beneficial for your beloved senior, too, offering therapeutic programming, assistance with daily living, meals, and more. So speak with the program coordinator about whether your beloved senior qualifies for these services.

Participate in the Chronic Conditions Support Program

Many seniors live with chronic conditions that can be difficult for caregivers to manage on their own. Fortunately, the Chronic Conditions Support Program offers a variety of services to help seniors with chronic conditions manage their health. 

For instance, seniors participating in this program can receive help with managing diabetes, home health monitoring, exercise services, pulmonary rehabilitation, and more. Taking advantage of these services helps lift some of the burden off you as a caregiver and provides your beloved senior with more assistance than you may be able to provide on your own. 

Consider Independent Living

If you are one of the many seniors who is also a caregiver to a spouse, sibling, or even close friend, you may want to consider independent living. There are many benefits to being a caregiver within an independent living community, especially since many services, like meals and housekeeping, are provided. And as a caregiver navigating healthcare for your beloved senior, you’re sure to appreciate all the amenities that make life a little easier. 

Although independent living facilities do not offer nursing or home care services, all residents are eligible as normal for home care services through the Yukon Government. So if you and your spouse share a suite, you may be able to enjoy home care services through the Yukon government, along with hospitality services through your independent living facility, all of which lighten your load and help you navigate healthcare for your beloved senior with ease.

Would you like to see whether independent living is right for you or your beloved senior? Book a tour to learn more.