By: Arthur Cooper
Submitted: 2011-05-25 07:21:22 | Word Count: 664
When you begin down the path of elderly care in Georgia or many of our Southern cities, family is much more affected, as the family unit is often stronger in this part of the country. With that in mind, realize that parents who can’t take care of themselves, often shake the foundation of the family. Sometimes, loved ones rise to the occasion with calmness and cooperation. More often than not, long-forgotten childhood rivalries and jealousies raise their ugly heads, creating needless chaos and strife.
It’s also common for spouses to deny that their husband or wife is in trouble â€" or that they’re overwhelmed by caregiving responsibilities. Some spouses cover up or minimize their partner’s problems, leaving treatable and potentially dangerous conditions unattended. It’s sad to witness a loving marital relationship deteriorate because one spouse doesn’t understand that the other spouse’s ‘stubbornness’ or ‘meanness’ may be related to a medical condition, and not spite.
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You should also avoid the mistaken belief that taking care of your elderly parent is ‘parenting your parent’. Even though many eldercare tasks are the same as child-care tasks (i.e., feeding, bathing, toileting) emotionally your elder is still your parent. Trying to parent a grown-up, as an example, by speaking to him or her like a child, only ends up with the parent feeling insulted and angry and the caregiver feeling frustrated and ineffectual.
When your elder appears to be struggling with some tasks but you’re not sure if you have the full picture, the time is upon you for an organized assessment of their capabilities. The key to locating trouble spots is to list all the basic activities that people need to do to keep themselves healthy, safe, happy and financially solvent. Then go down the list, one item at a time, determining whether your elderly person can manage each item without help.
If you find you need more professional caregiving assistance, recognized that a doctor, nurse or social worker that treats an elderly person actually has two patients â€" the older person and their caregiver. The demands of eldercare place caregivers at risk for all sorts of health and family problems. A recent study showed that 61% of caregivers who provided at least 21 hours of care per week suffer from depression. Other studies have shown that caregiver stress inhibits healing. It’s also been shown that half of the caregivers looking after people with Alzheimer’s disease develop signs of psychological distress.
Finding elderly care in Georgia involves an ever-changing set of responsibilities. Needs almost always grow. As frailty increases, more decisions about care need to be made. It is sometimes hard to admit, especially to yourself, that your older person is failing, especially when that person assures you that everything is fine. It’s heartbreaking to see a father who could fix any broken appliance be reduced to a trembling man who can’t fix his own breakfast. Figuring out what’s needed and then offering help may prolong your elderly person’s independence and avoid a crisis later.
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