More and more families are going to have to adopt this attitude as baby
boomers continue to get older. The next 10 to 20 years will see a rapid
rise in the older population. In Canada, by 2011, the two largest age
groups will be those between 65 and 69 and those over 80. By 2025, the
United States will be home to 65 million baby boomers, ranging in age
from 61 to 69 – comprising about a quarter of the population.
"What
this means is that there will be a dramatic increase in demand on long
term care facilities, which will tax existing resources," claims
Richmond Lutz, MSW, a professor of social service work at Niagara College
in Welland, Ontario. "The responsibility will be placed on the
family to provide needed care."
It's
not going to be easy for families to adapt. North American families
are generally more transient than those of Asia or even Europe. Offspring
often move far from the nest. An extended family living under one roof
just isn't the norm in our society. But that may change. The onus for
senior care is going to be shifting from long term care facilities to
caregiving in the home. And when that happens, preparing environmentally
and psychosocially will ease the stress of the transition.
prepping
your home for your parent
Home modification is one of the easier ways to make an elder feel secure
and comfortable in your home. To you, your house is a safe haven, but
to a senior, it can be a dangerous and confusing place.
Cords
stretched across walkways, rugs that tend to slide easily, no handrails
by stairs and dimly lit hallways are all hazards that should be addressed.
Falls are the senior population's most common cause of fatal injuries.
"We
had to transform our den/computer room into my grandmother's bedroom
so that she could be on the main floor - stairs were out of the question,"
remembers Julie. "We also had to buy food specific to her diet
for diabetes and put a shower chair in the bathroom."
you,
your family and an older adult
The psychosocial aspects of providing care for the elderly are immense.
Important factors to the senior having a satisfying life include: having
respect and dignity, a valued position, social networks, emotional support
and a sense of control. Your loved one's adaptation will be enhanced
if they have good communication and social skills, as well as mobility.
It's up to the family as caregivers to facilitate these needs and skills.
Respect
and dignity are two very important considerations. There should be a
mutual respect for privacy and a right to make choices. Involving your
parent in all conversations and speaking to him or her as an adult will
help maintain their dignity.
"Making
the adjustment is about solving the problems inherent in the transition,"
says Lutz. "It's not about the problems. It's the solutions that
are critical. Problem solving requires communication as a primary approach.
However, humor, patience and a ridding of the attitude that you know
everything, are all significant. Remember that seniors can be a library
of knowledge and experience. They may be able to offer some of their
own solutions."
Communication
is the key to a successful and happy transition. "Good communication
within the family is critical in providing support," Lutz says.
"Caregiving couples need to be on the same wavelength in order
to cope with the new stressors and demands. As well, communication between
caregivers and their children will help the grandchildren understand
the situation and contribute in a positive way."
Lutz
recommends scheduled family meetings to review how things are going,
and to make necessary changes/arrangements as needs arise. These can
be planned once a week, once a month, or whenever necessary to maintain
balanced family functioning. "In order to provide a healthy social
environment, the caregivers need to include the senior in daily debriefings.
The family should make the senior feel valued."
"Inevitably,
your elderly loved one will go through a period of grieving with the
loss of their independence, but there doesn't have to be misery,"
says Lutz.
Part
of the process is about educating yourself and your family in order
to adjust to the new situation. Speaking with local support groups,
or with a gerontologist, is often the best way to find out more about
the role of a caregiver, and what to expect from your new housemate.
Prepare
properly for the experience and you might discover that spending the
remaining years with your older loved one may just be a blessing in
disguise. "In retrospect, it was nice to have my grandmother around,"
recalls Julie. "We didn't know she'd go downhill so quickly, so
really, it was good to get to spend so much time with her before she
had to go to the hospital toward the end."
HOW
TO MAKE YOUR HOME SAFE FOR A SENIOR
HOW
TO HANDLE A DIFFICULT SENIOR
(Link
to actual article: http://gainsville.fitdv.com/new/articles/article.html?artid=149)
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