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Posts Tagged ‘caregiver’

As you may or may not know, I am a self-professed “Mom in the Middle“.

This has lead me into a lot of interesting Summer party conversations as of late, and I thought it might be timely to share some of what’s been discussed, with you.

When you get over 40, it seems like chatting goes to a much deeper level than when you’re in your 20s, bragging about your newest insights or latest intellectual discoveries. Spirituality, health, outrageous teenager behavior, and aging parents replace topics of romantic conquests, extreme party hopping, and the latest band you saw, for sure.

And so, over a delicious plate of roasted corn and watermelon, the topic of elder care sprang up between a few of us ladies who were lunching recently.

Though I’ll spare you all the details, I will say this: There’s a whole lot of guilt surrounding the topic of what the “right thing” is to do for your aging parent(s). Read the rest of this entry »

One of the most pleasant experiences I have had recently was at the Noon Rotary Club of Tullahoma.

They invited me to speak to them about Family Staffing and how we can help families decide when the right time is to have those difficult conversations such as: “Where should my mother and father live now that I have moved out of state?” and “I can’t cook because my kitchen is not suited to my needs,” As I told my Rotary friends, I am often asked, “ Is it safe for Mom or Dad to stay in their home?”

Many different groups are addressing these questions.  72% of all adults over 60 own their own homes so it is important that we find a way to help them stay there. The National Association of Homebuilders is even finding ways to help. They have a training program set up to address the needs of older homeowners. In group classes,  they teach contractors how to audit a home for potential issues concerning safety;  Where to place  handrails, how to build ramps and how to create a workable special-needs kitchen.  The National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Health have free literature they can send you that helps understand the aging processes, health conditions, nutrition, and etc.

One important question we are always asked is,  “Dad had a fall and I’m worried about him, can he stay in his home?” I am happy to give them a resounding,” Yes!”  With the right care providers, your loved ones can remain in their home as long as they want. A recent poll by AARP stated that 83% of seniors they interviewed stated emphatically that they wanted to remain in their home until their death.

The most important thing is that this allows our loved ones to remain in the driver’s seat, independent and making their own decisions. Don’t we want that for them?

Family Staffing Solutions has more than a decade of experience in helping people stay independent, in charge and in their own home.

I loved sharing that with the Rotarians. Their ideals are mine.

Think about it and give us a call.

Love,

Nancy

A recent “Ask Becci” email brought up a topic that I’ve encountered many times throughout my elder care career: How can an adult child help their aging parent(s) when they live out-of-state?

Though the answer may seem as simple as, “Just move them closer to where you live”, that’s not always in the best interest of you or your parent(s).

For aging parents who are attached to their home and/or active in their community with a group of friends they would not be interested in leaving, the thought of relocating can be stressful, which may have a negative impact on their overall health and well being.

So, in the interest of everyone’s comfort, here are some ideas to help ensure your aging parents are being looked after when you aren’t able to be there.

• Work with your parent(s), during your next family visit, on a home modification and safety checklist. Retrofitting a home and adding new security technology can make a big difference in their personal safety as well as expand the opportunity for parents to remain in their current home.

Read the rest of this entry »