Helping Your Parents, Helping You

Whether or not they live with you, there may come a time when your parents need help with day-to-day activities. Help is available at home, at work, in your community, and also at Meridian At Home. Judith DeTrizio, director for Meridian At Home, the area’s leading home health provider, emphasizes that "one of our goals at Meridian At Home is to help caregivers make informed decisions about home health care services. The best way for caregivers to do that is to be armed with the right kind of information." Judy offers the following advice:

At Home:

• If you have adult siblings, a spouse, or older children, ask them to pitch in.
• If neighbors and friends offer help, ask that they provide transportation or run errands.
• Reduce stress by practicing relaxation techniques. Try meditation, visualizing a beautiful place, or listening to music.
• Maintain your health by eating well, getting enough rest, and exercising regularly.

At Work:

• Discuss your scheduling needs with your boss. Consider such options as flextime, job sharing, or rearranging your schedule.
• If needed, find out whether you are eligible for unpaid leave time. Refer to the Family Medical Leave Act.

In the Comunity:
Your parent may need more help than you and your family can give. You can try:

• the Meridian At Home Advisor at 1-800-655-2555
• the local Area Agency on Aging.

Either resource can offer valuable information about local services.