In many families, when an elderly parent is going through a serious illness the resulting stress and anxiety cause old childhood rivalries to flare up again. Siblings take on various roles ranging from bossy and dominant, to conflict avoidance and peacemaking. When it comes to an aging parent’s care, having a designated family spokesperson will help make the entire process go more smoothly.
According to recent polls, most Americans aged 65-and-over want to continue aging in place for as long as possible- even well into their 70s and 80s. Unfortunately for many, at some point declining health will place them at risk for remaining at home. For various reasons, such as privacy and pride, most seniors don’t like discussing their personal business with others, including their own children.
When you’re a Sandwich Generation member who’s caring for an elderly grandparent with dementia, your kids may start complaining about the amount of time you’re spending with grandpa or grandma, instead of them. Explaining to your children why their grandparent’s behavior is changing can also be difficult, and you could hear questions like: “Why can’t grandma take me to the park anymore?”, or “Why does grandpa keep forgetting my name? Trying to process those confusing feelings can oftentimes make kids feel sad, frustrated, and even jealous.
You love your parent, and want to provide them with the nurturing they need so that they can continue aging in place within the comfort of their own home. So what do you do? Convincing an aging parent that’s hesitant to accept at-home care is never easy. What follows are several ideas from experts you can use to help facilitate a smoother and more successful process.
Many families today are turning to private in-home caregivers for their aging parents instead of placing them in long-term care facilities. Private in-home care allows seniors to age in place with dignity and independence within the comfort of their own home. The two available paid caregiver options are hiring an independent contractor directly or going [...]
Visiting your aging family members is important for their physical and emotional well being. Remaining connected with family decreases social isolation and improves health outcomes. Yet, family visits can be challenging. Complicated dynamics, busy lives, and changing roles are things all families face. With a bit of planning and thoughtfulness, family visits can be less [...]
