HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: VISITING AGING PARENTSWritten by Linda LaPointe
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Personal care -dirty clothing -dirty hair or body -appear unkempt -dust in bathtub -home in disrepair or disheveled Nutrition -more snacks than real food in house -very old or outdated food items in pantry Medications -too many oo few pills in bottles -old med bottles, no new refills -still display symptoms that meds should alleviate Other general areas -unexplained dents in car -not leaving house for a week or more -falls -angry or passive, offensive or defensive -bills or mail piled up -utilities or appliances not working -scorched pans Most people move to assisted living or nursing homes due to these situations, and not because they are chronically ill and need nursing care. If you see 2 or more of any of these, it is time to discuss need for a medical check up and possible non-medical assistance to avoid further deterioration. If addressed early enough people may be able to stay in their homes longer and that is what everyone wants.
Linda LaPointe, MRA is an ElderLife Matters Coach and is the author of several products to help families, including the educational board game, In My Shoes: An Aging Family. See them and get free articles and information at www.SOSpueblo.com
| | HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Ask yourself some questionsWritten by Linda LaPointe
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you're able to give -- for example, will you give more time or money? Get emotional support you received from your parents in past in other ways. Talk with friends who are in similar situations. Join a caregiver support group. If you're sharing caregiving tasks with siblings, keep lines of communication open. Send each other progress reports. Finally, find ways to have more fun with an aging or disabled adult for whom you feel responsible or love. Try to spend YOUR time doing things that will be most appreciated. Hire out house maintenance tasks, like lawn care and snow removal. Use a companion service for light housekeeping, meal preparation, grocery shopping and errands. Spend your time doing things WITH rather than FOR older adult. Professional organizations can help with mundane tasks so you can spend more quality time looking through photo albums, writing letters to out of town family, taking grandkids to park, or sharing a cup of tea. Begin your journey of caregiving by defining preferences, plans and roles prior to being confronted and swept up by crises.Linda LaPointe, MRA is an ElderLife Matters Coach and is author of several publications which help families, such as In My Shoes: An Aging Family, an experiential game. See them and free articles and resources at www.SOSpueblo.com
Linda LaPointe, MRA is an ElderLife Matters Coach and is author of several publications which help families, such as In My Shoes: An Aging Family, an experiential game. See them and free articles and resources at www.SOSpueblo.
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