5 Reasons Families Fight About Senior Care
Discussing future caring situations with elderly loved ones can be a daunting task. Some stubborn, set-in-their-ways seniors are intent on living out a life full of independence, even if it means putting their own health and well-being in jeopardy.
Implementing a plan of attack when talking to seniors is important, and there will surely be a variety of obstacles to overcome. Throughout your discussion, some of these arguments may arise, so it’s important to be able to identify the issue and how to work through it. Here are 5 reasons families often fight about senior care.
5 Reasons Families Fight About Senior Care
1. Independence
One of the most frequent arguments that occur may deal with your senior’s desire to remain independent. They often feel like their independence is one of the few things they have to hold onto. In some cases, seniors are able to live independently without any form of care. Other times, it’s necessary to provide a little help for day-to-day routines.
Explain to your loved one that you are only trying to ease the burden for them. They are most likely nearing or in retirement, so stress that you want them to enjoy their next stage in life. Seniors need to feel involved in their own care, so it’s important to still allow them a sense of independence whether it’s completing some easier household chores, or helping around the house. Find a balance of independence that will satisfy you and your loved one.
2. Safety
There are a variety of different safety precautions to examine and discuss with your elder. They will often argue that they’ve maintained their own safety just fine for their whole life. It’s important to explain to them that a few precautions can prevent a catastrophe. This subject can also be a source of compromise. If you are able to make your home safe, including some bathroom safety measures, perhaps your senior will be able to remain in the home longer.
An at-home aide can provide assistance if any safety concerns arise. Not only that, it will also ease the burden for children who often become the main caregiver for their elderly loved ones. It’s not always easy to understand the physical limitations older adults face that could make home a virtual minefield for an aging parent, but working together with a caregiver and your loved one will help ease the burden.
3. Medication
With complicating health issues, some seniors can end up taking upwards of 50 different pills a day. Medications can also take a lot of time and money, so it’s important to be aware and proactive when it comes to your aging loved one's medication safety. Creating a list and schedule of medications can help organize a daily plan to remain healthy.
Talking with your loved one’s doctor about simplifying the medication regimen can also be beneficial. The fewer pills that are taken, the less likely health concerns and side effects will occur.
4. Brain Health
Arguably one of the most difficult issues to talk about, you elder’s mental health can be a touchy subject. It’s important to ease into the conversation by mentioning the benefits of a caregiver or senior community. It’s important to identify symptoms like anxiety, depression, and irritability, because they may be signs of Alzheimer’s or late-onset dementia.
At-home therapists can work to increase brain health by incorporating memory retention exercises with your senior. Stress to your elder that you want them to not only create new memories but be able to recall the older ones as well.
5. Moving
Another big argument might occur when talking about moving into a senior community. Your loved one most likely enjoys where they’re staying, and have no desire to move elsewhere. The key thing you will need to stress is that it will give them a variety of health and comfort benefits. Moving into a community of other seniors will offer a chance to interact with peers while easing the burden of everyday chores.
A change of scenery could be just what your senior needs in his or her next stage in life. Guiding them to it may be difficult at times, but it will benefit you both in the end.
