A friend recently shared the following story with me. I hope that you will be as moved by it as I was. May kindness be the signature of your life in 2023. As the story goes:
At the end of a busy day of passenger pick-ups, a city cab driver pulled up to an address at a small residence in a modest neighborhood. He honked and waited for his passenger. Nothing. He honked again. Nothing. Somewhat annoyed, he went to the door and rang the bell. From within, came a small voice saying "I'll be right there, dear." Shortly, a frail, neatly attired, elderly lady opened the door, dressed and ready to go with a suitcase at her side.
If you're among the majority of adult children in America, chances are you're providing some level of care for an aging parent. Perhaps it helps with driving to doctor's appointments or cooking meals. Maybe it's keeping an eye on their medications or managing their finances. Or, it could be something more substantial, like helping them bathe or dress. Whatever the level of care, it's likely that you didn't expect to be in this position at this stage in your life.
You're not alone. In fact, according to a recent study by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, nearly half of all adults in the United States have provided care for an ill or aging family member in the last 12 months. And, as our population continues to age, that number is only going to increase.
Discussing senior care with your parents can be a sensitive and emotional topic. You want to make sure that your parents are taken care of, but you also want to respect their autonomy and maintain a positive relationship. Here are 5 tips to help you navigate this difficult conversation.
If you have elderly parents who require assistance from a senior care provider, you're not alone. Many families are in the same situation. While it's difficult for everyone involved, it can be especially challenging for adult children. Here are three of the most common challenges adult children face when their parents are in need of senior care.
I could fill a page with the many descriptors for this unending pandemic: unprecedented, chaotic, historic, unique, disruptive, tumultuous, challenging, etc. It’s an event that brought changes, left scars, caused losses, and offered opportunities. However described or experienced, the lessons we continue to experience should not be wasted.
I could fill a page with the many descriptors for this unending pandemic: unprecedented, chaotic, historic, unique, disruptive, tumultuous, challenging, etc. It's an event that's brought change, left scars, caused the loss, and offered the opportunity. However described or experienced, the lessons we continue to experience should not be wasted.
During the past few months our organization has dealt with several challenges presented by the pandemic. Many people have been house bound, some working at home, others unable to go for medical care, care providers unable to present face to face with clients, etc. Our goal throughout has been to adapt and provide our clients with the best possible service.
Finding caregivers in this pandemic has been and continues to be quite challenging, especially for older adults who are trying to avoid exposure to the Covid-19 virus and the rapidly spreading variant. Around the country, many older adults were isolated and/or quarantined in their homes and/or care facilities a greater part of last year. People continue to need assistance with their medical and personal needs as well as basic supplies.
Due to the pandemic, there’s a significant decline in the health status of many seniors due to the inability to socialize with others face to face. Along with this, there’s anxiety associated with the uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus. Over the past year, things slowed down considerably, and many seniors went without the necessary services they needed. The virus has also hit the elderly the worst as they are more prone to catching it and succumbing to it. As a result, they had to deal with isolation and loneliness.
As your loved ones grow old, it becomes challenging for them to deal with daily activities like personal hygiene, dressing, food preparation, mobility, transportation, medication management, and more. This is just a small list of the many responsibilities added on to you, but it can be a lot to handle as your own obligations grow. In such a situation, hiring a professional caregiver will give not only respite but also ensure your loved ones receive the dedicated attention they need.
I'm Cheryl Pegues, the proud owner of LifeSmartConcepts, LLC. I look forward to sharing my story. I hope that you will enjoy getting to know me better.
