Let’s face it. As your loved ones age, they will usually need help and assistance. And so often, their grown children already have huge demands on their time. So expecting them to provide all the care needed is not really feasible. However, our aging loved ones are often very resistant to accepting that they need a caregiver or personal aide. This can then cause frustration and tension on all sides. If you have an aging parent relative who needs in-home help, then it can be hard to work out how to approach them and how to convince them that they (and you) need the extra assistance. Here are some things to consider: 1. Choose the right time. Right after a holiday or another stressful event is often a poor time to broach the issue, even if it might be the time you realize that more help is definitely needed. Choose a time when you are both relaxed. Consider inviting them over for dinner and then bringing it up afterwards, when everyone is calm. Be ready to table the discussion and bring it up multiple times, or to delay the discussion until another time if tensions are high. 2. Suggest a trial period. If your loved one is worried about loss of independence or privacy, a trial period can help allay their fears. And, of course, a trial period will make sure that the right kind of help has really been selected and allow them to talk to several caregivers and find somebody they are comfortable with. 3. Communicate. Nobody wants to feel that a solution is being pushed on them from outside. Start by finding out why your loved one is having issues – is it fear of their privacy being invaded? Pride? Loss of independence? Grief? In some cases, accepting help after the loss of one’s long-term partner can be particularly difficult. Discovering the reason for the resistance is the first step to helping work through it. Your solutions should involve the elderly person as an active partner, even (and perhaps especially) if they are experiencing the first stages of cognitive decline. 4. Stress the positive. A home caregiver can be the best way for your parent to keep their independence. Bring up things that they used to do and cannot do any more. Are they starting to get embarrassed by the state of their yard? Do they wish they could still read books, but are finding it hard to get audio or large print versions of what they enjoy? An aide can also be a way to continue to visit museums, go to the movies, or take walks. 5. Make it about the help you need, not just them. Many people will be resistant to accept help for themselves, but far more willing to accept it on behalf of others. If you explain that the time you are spending on them is interfering with your work, marriage, or the things you really need to do, then they may be more willing to accept outside help. Dealing with a loved one who needs extra help can be a challenge. You need to accept that they can still make their own choices and not push care on them unless there are immediate safety issues involved. However, getting them to be willing to accept home care can help reduce family tensions, free up your life, and allow them to age in place for longer. When they are ready to accept help and you have discussed their needs with them, contact Elderlink Home Care or call us at 303-734-0641. We offer custom in-home care for specific needs. Our caregivers provide assistance in personal matters and on outings for shopping or leisure, and we will match your relative with the perfect caregiver for their unique situation.
As your parents age, it may be more difficult for them to take care of daily tasks and responsibilities. Simple self-care becomes more challenging and taking care of tasks around the house may be more daunting than it’s ever been before. Simply charging in and taking over, however, won’t help you or your aging loved one. Not only will it add a heavy dose of responsibility to your shoulders, it may be hard on your parent’s self-esteem or feelings of independence. By learning how to balance those key tasks, you can improve your interactions with your parent while ensuring they get the care they need. 1. Let Them Lead For many years, your parent was responsible for taking care of themselves–and for taking care of you! As they age, they still need to lead the self-care process as much as possible. It may take longer to wait patiently for your parent to complete a task when they’re the one leading the way, but providing them with that extra independence can help improve their self-esteem and make them feel more capable even as their physical abilities deteriorate. 2. Ensure Their Health After hospital stays or a new medical diagnosis, your aging loved one may need more care than before. Take care to monitor medication to ensure that they’re taking it properly, especially if forgetfulness is setting in. It may also be helpful to attend doctor’s appointments with them, particularly after a new diagnosis or injury. 3.Address Emotional Needs, Too It’s easy, as an adult child, to get caught up in your parent’s physical needs. There are so many things to take care of, especially when you’re balancing the need to keep up with their needs as well as your own. It’s important, however, to keep an eye on emotional needs as well as physical ones. Take the time to sit down and have a genuine conversation. Exchange kind words. Make sure to evaluate your parent’s emotional state and take action if they seem to become depressed or anxious. These simple steps can have a big impact on your loved one over time! 4. Remain Respectful Your parent has not become a child in spite of the fact that they now need your help and care. When interacting with your parent, be respectful! Keep in mind that they still have the right to make their own choices, and you should ask for their opinion before making a choice for them. Take the time to think through how your actions will impact them, especially if you’re making decisions that may reduce their independence. 5. Prepare the Home You’re well aware that certain hazards increase as your loved one ages. Keep an eye on potential fall hazards and problems in the kitchen, bathrooms and around the rest of the house. You don’t want to sweep in and take over, but you do want to be sure that the home is as safe as possible! Take the time to remove cords and unnecessary clutter from common areas. When necessary, install grab bars in the bathroom to help your loved one keep their balance. As you take these simple steps, you’ll help ensure your loved one’s safety. Providing care for an aging parent or loved one can be a struggle, but doing so respectfully and lovingly is well worth the effort. Remember, our Elderlink Home Care, Inc. team has over 30 years of experience helping our clients age gracefully and comfortably in their own homes. If you are struggling or need help, we are ready to lend a helping hand. Call us on (303) 734-0641 today to learn how we can help provide the care your loved one needs.
As you get older, you’ll have plenty of struggles along the way. Many of the common signs and symptoms you often associate with aging, however, may not be as severe as you think! By combating the myths of aging, you’ll discover that you can live a full, healthy lifestyle throughout your important golden years! Myth #1: Your Brain Deteriorates Over Time Sure, as you age, you may naturally struggle more to remember simple things, and it may be harder to grasp new concepts–but that doesn’t have to be the case. Your brain is capable of developing new connections and learning and understanding new concepts. Make sure that you’re conducting proper brain activities on a regular basis to help improve your continued processing ability. Play brain games, learn how to do new things, and embrace the opportunity to grow your mind. Myth #2: Older People Don’t Need Close Relationships The need for community and connection doesn’t go away as you age. Older people need close relationships just as much as younger ones–and it’s important that you take the time to develop them. Take a class, attend an activity or club on a regular basis, and look for other ways to connect with people. Develop friendships. If you’re feeling lonely, check out a local senior center or become involved with a local senior group. Relationships can help keep your mind sharp and improve your overall health–and that’s well worth investing in. Myth #3: You’ll Become Frail as You Age While frailty comes with age for many individuals, you don’t have to give in and assume you’re going to be frail and breakable just because of the number of candles on your cake! Instead, work with a trainer to develop an exercise routine that will help keep you strong and flexible. Proper nutrition and vitamins can also help keep your bones strong even as aging tries to threaten them. Also, be sure to visit your doctor on a regular basis. The longer you stay active in your senior years, the longer you’ll be able to stay active and the more you’ll be able to do and enjoy! Myth #4: Aging Makes You Less Creative During your senior years, you have more time on your hands to explore all of the creative gifts you may have let slide by the wayside when you were younger. Many people find that, with free time to use to full advantage, they’re able to be more creative through their senior years than they ever were when they were young. Pick up a new hobby or embrace the ones that you had to ignore due to the demands of raising a family or working full-time. You may be surprised by just how much you’re able to accomplish–and by how much you enjoy it! Myth #5: Your Genes Determine How You Age While your genes may have some impact on how well you’re able to age, it’s your lifestyle that really impacts the aging process. When you choose to stay active, eat healthy, and keep your brain sharp, you’ll discover that you’re in a better position to age well and gracefully. Ditching bad habits like alcohol and tobacco consumption as young as possible can also help decrease the signs and symptoms of aging so that you’re able to better enjoy your senior years. You don’t have a choice about getting older, but there are many things you can do to help increase your odds of growing older with grace. By combating the myths of aging, you’ll discover that you can live a full, healthy lifestyle well into your retirement years, enjoying everything going on around you. Do you or a loved one need more help to live the full lifestyle you want? Contact us to learn more about we can help you or a loved one reach your goals.
