Caring for Aging Relatives

Home
>
Elder Care
>
Caring for Aging Relatives

Caring for Aging Relatives

It happens somewhat slowly in the beginning, maybe with a small cough that gets worse as time goes on. It might simply begin with absent mindedness which is totally out of character, followed by total memory lapses. What do we do when our parents eventually need taking care of after they have spent so much of their adult lives taking care of us? What precisely is a child's responsibility to them? Is it self-centered to relocate them into an assisted home? And which siblings should shoulder the responsibility? These are questions which plague families whenever a parent happens to become sick.

It is certainly very normal for feelings of guilt and even occasionally depression to happen to you because of a deteriorating parent. But happily there are some good associations that do offer expert advice on coping with these problems. And there are specialists in this arena who can work with you to help you through the hard times.

Local hospitals, hospices and nursing homes usually have such names and numbers to assist you in this regard. If your dad feels certain that someone has broken into the house just to steal his chocolate when he has in fact eaten it himself, do not argue with him or say that his theories are irrational. Just calmly acknowledge how he feels and make him feel safe and loved. Do small things to alleviate his fears like simply letting him see you lock the doors or secure the windows at night before going to bed. If you get an unsatisfactory attitude from his physician, take him to a geriatric psychiatrist for further examination.

Erratic behavior is one of the earlies warning signals of dementia. If your mom starts cussing at the dinner table in front of the kids just because her steak is a bit undercooked, correct her calmly by teaching her the appropriate behavior: "Excuse me, my steak is a little undercooked, can you put it back on the grill for me please?"

Never resort to bad language yourself, as this will just perpetuate the unwanted behavior. If you feel yourself losing your own temper, take a few deep breaths until you are able to control your emotions. If you are being verbally assualted then it may be best to detach from being called offensive names. Give 3 warnings, use the silent treatment and then just walk away if the behavior goes on.

This can be one of the touphest problems to cope with, particularly for a very stubborn parent. Driving is so commonly related to having freedom and yet if you get reports that your dad is passing stop signs or driving on the wrong side of the street you have to deal with it. If you take his keys away from him, he may resent you, so it may be best to take a more indirect approach.

Take him or her for a "normal" checkup to check his vision, then ask the physician for a note expressing that the patient should not be driving anymore. Send the letter to the DMV requesting that his license be taken away. This may take a few weeks, but when the DMV takes away his license, be sympathetic and do research on transportation for seniors in the area, which is usually inexpensive and efficient.

For further information go to Fish Oil News and find out some additional facts about aging and the possible effect of fish oil on Alzheimers.

Ryan Joseph is a writer/researcher. For more info. visit http://www.omega3fishoil.org/

In The News:

Kirkland nonprofit's nationwide tour stops in Bellevue to educate on elder ...
Kirkland Reporter
She joined forces with two local entities: 3 in 4 Need More, a Kirkland-based nonprofit, and Emeritus Senior Living. Together, they have launched a nationwide senior talent competition to raise awareness of the importance of planning for long-term care ...

Senior care franchises: Slam dunk money makers?
Chicago Daily Herald
By Jim Kendall As Americans continue to age, a senior care franchise that helps Mom and Dad live at home would seem to be a slam dunk way to make money. But nothing is a slam dunk. • Rudy VanDerLaan, for the past two years has served as part owner of a ...

Learn About Elder Abuse
Patch.com
Adult children need to understand that they have to take care of their aging parents. Credit Elder Care Massage This is a true story of a 92-year-old woman who became a prisoner in her own home. After her grandson moved in with her, he started allowing ...

National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers Releases ...
Houston Chronicle
The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM) recently surveyed 2215 US adults age18 and over about elder care and aging issues. The Geriatric Care Manager/Aging study was conducted online by Harris Interactive® via its ...

and more »

3 Reasons Why Card-Carrying Capitalists Should Support Paid Family Leave
Forbes
Employee child care and eldercare responsibilities are not only two major external business challenges, but they become internal issues the minute an employee walks in the door or signs onto his or her computer. In the US, we pride ourselves on our ...

and more »

Nurses recognized at SAGE Eldercare in Summit during National Nurses Week
Independent Press - NJ.com
By Independent Press Last week, nurses at SAGE Eldercare were recognized for their loving care during the twenty-first year of National Nurses Week. This annual event, according to American Nurses Association, is an opportunity for the public to ...

As India's old ways change, senior-care homes are on the rise
Los Angeles Times
More of India's urban families are rejecting traditional extended-family households, so older relatives are increasingly moving into elder-care facilities, an idea long stigmatized in the country. Retirees at an elder-care home in Trivandrum, India.

and more »

LeadingAge Statement on Introduction of Legislation To Support Caregivers From ...
Sacramento Bee
By LeadingAge WASHINGTON, May 24, 2012 -- /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- We commend Senator Amy Klobuchar for reintroducing the Americans Giving care to Elders (AGE) Act as a manifestation of her commitment to caregivers and the elders that they serve.

and more »

kjrh.com
Elder care business owner arrested for theft
kjrh.com
A 73-year old Owasso woman who ran an in-home elder care business is accused of using her ex-con son to steal thousands of dollars from an elderly client. The investigation began last fall when a clerk at a drive-through bank in Owasso became concerned ...

and more »

As India's old ways change, senior-care homes are on the rise
Sacramento Bee
India, a nation that prides itself on the inclusive embrace of its extended families, is slowly accepting a feature long common in the West: elder-care facilities. Social changes find more urban families rejecting traditional arrangements involving ...

and more »

Google News