“I feel so isolated.” This was mom’s response after hearing of yet another family invitation I’d received by text. Mom’s eyesight does not allow her to participate in emailing, texting or Facebook, which in this age of communication through social media is a problem. After dad died, invitations came through me and for mom, it was one more loss. Instead of serving as “social … [Read more...]
Headed home for the holidays? Three tips to determine when elders need help.
“How are you and dad doing mom?” “We’re fine.” Sound familiar? People tell me they “are in the dark” when it comes to their parents’ health and how they are managing at home. Phone calls typically start and end with a series of questions and the response is “We’re fine.” If you are headed home for the holidays, here are three tips to determine if your parents need help to … [Read more...]
Caregivers Need to Set Boundaries
And not give into guilt. Like most people, I struggle with setting boundaries. It is especially hard with an aging parent who may feel vulnerable or frightened if you are not around. But setting boundaries with your parent, co-worker, or anyone in your life, is critical to the self-care that must be a high priority for caregivers. Request and expectations of others tug at … [Read more...]
Treat Your Aging Parents As Adults, With Love and Respect
When Parents Become More Like Your Child Not long after dad's hospital release, he looked at me panicked and almost in tears. He could not remember if he had re-applied for the grant that paid for his macular degeneration shots. Seeing my strong father scared, overwhelmed and so quickly reduced to tears broke my heart. Jump to Lessons Learned Coping with Problems Physical … [Read more...]
Personal Care and Home Care Services – What are the Differences?
Home Care services can be the solution to aging-in-place When dad was released from the hospital, it was clear he was not going to be able to continue doing the grocery shopping, housekeeping and caring for my mother at the level he had previously. So now what? Home Care was the answer. NOTE: This is the final of three installments on this topic. Jump to: Lessons … [Read more...]