Live Well in Your Home!

Seniors when asked, where do you want to live, respond,  at home of course. Seniors are very practical in their their thinking and are  well aware that there may come a time that they cannot, continue to live in the home they know and love. Seniors also understand that growing old can be difficult especially if they have chronic illness.  Admitting that its difficult to do the daily chores that once were easy is a hard thing to do, giving up ones independence knowing that once its gone it is gone can be depressing.

So how can we as adult children help?  We all want our elderly parents to be happy, but starting that conversation with  regards to remaining at home is  not always easy.  Children of elderly parents are sometimes quick to make assumption that “ Mother would be better off with ….or living in …….  These conversations lead to sometimes heated discussions and sometimes families are fractured forever.

Seniors like their familiar surroundings, they enjoy their “things” , a lifetime of collecting, memories ingrained in empty rooms, the living room where everyone gathered for Christmas and birthdays and happy celebrations.

If you are the adult child of an elderly parent have you tried to have a conversation with your mom or dad or both about the future? Have you asked them what they want?

Has one of your siblings ever said  “Well that’s it, Mom can’t be on her own anymore! Lets see where she should go!”

If your elderly parent, is in an assisted living environment, have  you thought of having someone other than family visit for a few hours a couple of times a week?

Your mom has a routine doctor’s appointment and guess what, you are tied up at work, and simply cannot leave,who do you call or do you cancel?

If you are the primary caregiver for your elderly parent, could you use a little bit of time to yourself,  letting someone else do the caregiving once or twice a week?

There is help out there, and yes sometimes it is costly, but what is the price you will pay eventually?

Companionship, elder-sitting,light meal preparation and clean up,going to the doctor,taking mom shopping for the new shoes she is needing,having someone who is not a stranger and you can trust stay overnight while you are out of town on a business trip….These are some of the instances you want to plan for, so that if and when your elderly parents or you need help you have a plan of action.

It starts with a conversation, then a few visits and then before you know it, there is peace of mind, for your elderly mom or dad or loved one and above all yourself!

With Caring,

Elizabeth Shewchuk, a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging (CPCA)®. CPCAs are committed to providing exceptional service, and have supplemented their professional training by learning about the unique and changing needs of the 50+ population. Make sure that the professionals serving you have taken the time and made the commitment to learn more about YOU! To find CPCAs in good-standing, go to www.CPCAcanada.com

To find out how Daughter For A Day Senior Care can help you and your loved ones with care and support for your elderly loved one please call me at   778-990-8315 or visit www.daughterforaday.ca

Elizabeth