Take the time to talk to your aging parents about the issues that face them. And you.
If you have aging parents, you may already know how difficult it can be to chat about sensitive topics. From our home office and communication expert Jake Harwood, Ph.D., University of Arizona, here are a few tips to help family caregivers make that communication go a little easier.
- Get Started. If you’re in your 40s and your parents are around 70 or so, it’s time to start observing and gathering information carefully and thoughtfully. Don’t reach conclusions from single observations until you’ve gathered information with an open mind and talked to your parents.
- Talk it out. Sounds so simple but it’s important to approach your parents with a conversation. Ask your parents their opinion. If you’re parents acknowledge a situation, ask what they fee would be good solutions. If they don’t recognize a problem, use concrete examples instead of generalities to support your case.
- Sooner is better. Talk sooner rather than down the road when a crisis has occurred. For example, if you know you’re loved one has poor eyesight or trouble driving at night, begin to address those issues before something happens rather than later.
- Forget the baby talk. Sounds crazy, we know, but it happens. Remember you’re talking to an adult and patronizing speech will put older adults on the defensive and convey a lack of respect. Thnk of how you would want to be addressed if you were in their situation.
- Maximize independence. If at all possible, find solutions to provide your senior parent with as much independence as possible. Professional caregiving services, such as those offered by Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond, provide assistance with meal preparation, light housekeeping or medication reminders. Or find friends who can help.
- Be aware of the entire situation. If you father passes away and soon afterward your mom’s house seems to be in disarray, it’s probably not because she’s sick. It’s more likely as a result of poor social support and the loss of a life-long relationship. Ensure your mom has friends and a social life.
- Ask for help. Many of the issues surrounding aging can be solved by providing parents with the support they need to continue their independence. Resources such as Home Instead Senior Care, Area Agencies on Aging and local senior centers can provide those solutions.
These 7 tips are excerpted and paraphrased from the booklet, The 40-70 Rule: A Guide to Conversation Starters for Boomers and their Senior Loved Ones. For your free copy, please call your local Richmond Home Instead office today at 804.527.1100 and we’ll send one out to you right away.
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Hello to our fellow Home Instead partners in Richmond, Virgina! We want to thank you for this informative article on senior care. It’s definitely a good read, and very informative. Thanks again and keep up the good writing!