As we sing “Auld Lang Syne” at midnight on New Year’s Eve, many caregivers for their aging parent or elderly loved ones will make their resolutions for the upcoming year. At Aegis Living, our wish is these dedicated caregivers are happy and healthy in 2021. We hope that you successfully master the tasks of your daily life, balanced with the care needs of your elderly loved one. As you make your resolutions, here are a few ideas that we hope will help you through this coming year:
No one is completely prepared for caring for their aging parent or loved one. You may find yourself on a steep learning curve, depending on their level of care. Take it day-by-day and know that you are doing the best that you can. This is not the time to berate yourself but to focus on the list of the most important tasks at hand.
Don’t feel like you have to do this alone. Asking for help can be difficult, but you need to think about this as a marathon and to pace yourself. Friends and family can be a huge resource for support, whether near or far. Allocate small tasks like grocery shopping, house cleaning, driving to appointments, or researching care facilities or doctors online. Often friends and family want to help but they just don’t know how. It may be up to you to ask for help.
You may be thinking to yourself ‘where is the time for that?’ Trust us, finding support from those who understand is invaluable to your wellbeing. Support groups can offer tips and assistance that you did not even to know to ask for. Learn from others who have been there. Find support from those who can empathize.
There are many resources online, such as the Aegis Resource Center, which can offer your information, tips, and advice from seasoned professionals in the industry. We know that caregiving can be overwhelming but there are many articles and associations online that can assist on your search for information and support.
Try a short term stay to care for your loved one at an assisted living community. You may need to take a short trip, plan a staycation at home, reconnect with your family and friends, or just give yourself a few days to recharge. Many assisted living communities offer short term stays for your loved one, where care staff can administer medication, provide meals throughout the day, accommodate them in a comfortable private room, and assist with the activities of daily living (ADL). Your loved one will participate in activities and meet other seniors. A short term stay can also be a great alternative for seniors who are resistant to move into an assisted living facility. A short term stay gives them an opportunity to try living in a community for a short amount of time to see how they like it.
This may sound like a daunting project, but taking the time to organize your caregiving tasks can help to relieve your stress. Organize your loved one’s medications at the beginning of each week, keep a complete list of your parent’s doctors with contact information, update your calendar with appointments, or manage their finances into a spreadsheet. Taking time to organize will help you feel in control of your situation.
Finally, make sure your home is safe. Pay particular attention to the kitchen; you may have to remove the knobs from the stovetop, or add a lock to the knife drawer. Car keys made need to be secured as well. If there are firearms in the house it is essential that they are locked in a safe.
Remove obstacles if your loved one is prone to falls, this includes throw rugs and especially glass topped coffee and end tables. Put yourself in their place.
At Aegis Living we hope that you and your family find health, happiness, and peace in the new year.
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.