Caring for aging parents is not an easy task. Many in our aging society are not gracefully aging and fighting or ignoring their penchant for physical and cognitive abilities. No matter how well we eat, how much we exercise, how many supplements we take, there is nothing that stops the aging process. Of course, we all grow at different rates, but sometime our bodies wear out and we can’t do it as easily as we ever did. Take care of your aging beloved is not for Sisi! To help you when you go through the aging process with your loved one, 8 common mistakes made by older people and their families.
- Do not plan ahead, even for a health crisis. Common sense tells us that with age we should expect some help or even full help at some point. However, many older adults find aging gracefully difficult. The fear of aging and the need to preserve their independence forces many older people not to seek help. Those who are in the early stages of dementia may not recognize their need. Family members should be prepared to ensure that if a health crisis occurs, that their elderly loved one will have some protection. Preparing for this will take time and energy. This requires a review of Medicare, Medicaid, insurance policies, legal forms, and available health care options. By being prepared, you can reduce stress and anxiety during a crisis and give you a sense of confidence as you help your older parent make an important decision.
- renouncement Many adults who are afraid of aging, neglect the signs of poor health. Many of them forget about health problems for reasons such as worrying about paying their co-payment, so they postpone visiting doctors until the condition worsens. Such a delay may lead to more advanced stages of the condition. Many adult adults feel as if they can fight the process and refuse to wear hearing aids, braces, or walking aids. Family members often do not address this behavior, as they are met with strong resistance. This can be a difficult and uncomfortable situation for many family members. Sometimes meeting with your family and having a person that your parent respects and trusts will open lines of communication.
- reluctance It is not aging gracefully forcing many adults to be connected to discuss that they need help, because recognizing that fact means that they are aging. Many adults are a blow to their self-esteem, and many believe that they should give up their independence or become a burden to the family. Family members are many times connected in order to bring up the theme of your aging parent in need of help because of the dynamics of the family. Within the family there may be problems in overcoming guilt, anxiety, or even anger. It is important that you put your older parent that you are there to support them, and not interfere, so that your safety and health will be your main concern.
- Unaware of all available options and levels of help. The delivery system of medical services can be huge. Many families do not know where to start looking for help or what services and options are available. There are many counties, government and senior services that can provide direct access to specific health care providers. Your local aging agency may direct you to programs and services that are relevant to your area. You, a member of the clergy, can assist you in guiding you and your family members to professionals who have successfully supported other members of the church. You can use the services of a care manager or a patient care consultant to assist you in maneuvering your healthcare system. These are people who specialize in caring for an aging population and can promote, make recommendations and help monitor every aspect of care and services that are necessary for your aging parent.
- a family disaggregation. Inaction of family members due to differences of opinion with the family regarding the need for care and from where and from what it should occur. Nothing can revive conflicts in adult brothers and sisters than make decisions about elderly parents. All the old roles, beloved parents, black sheep, unresolved battles and family rivalries emerge. The old family dynamic returns, and adult brothers and sisters can sabotage wise decisions during these anxieties that produce talk of an older parent. There are also cultural differences in which the eldest son, regardless of his relationship with his elderly parents, is expected to be the decision maker in these families. Many of the sisters / daughters in these cultures are not involved in the decision-making process, even though they provide assistance. It is important to focus, as a group, on what your parents want, and to provide them in the best possible way in a safe and comfortable environment. In these situations, an external third party is recommended. There are nursing assistants, care managers and senior care counselors to help your family in this process.
- Misunderstanding of what health insurance is, long-term care and supplements For high school students and their families, it is important to study and understand which supplements are Medicare, Medicare and Medicaid. If your older parent has long-term care insurance, it is also important to look at waiting periods, cost of living for riders and coverage at home. This is the first time many family members hear this term, “waste.” Spend down, exhausting private or family finances to the point that the individual is poor enough to meet Medicaid eligibility criteria. The process of spending and the transition to poverty can lead to numerous losses. It is advisable to consult an older care lawyer before a crisis to help you in planning the protection of your assets of an aging parent.
- Concern over financial loss and reduction Many adult adults have worked their own lives, and they want to leave a legacy. They do not want to give up everything they have worked for. There are emotional and logistic factors of reduction. It emotionally traumatizes and suppresses an aging parent to give up his possessions. For many, their former lifestyle was their personality. It can be a difficult transition to fit into this new lifestyle. People want to grow old in their homes and do not understand that there are options that can help them. Eighty percent of long-term care is provided by families, not by institutions. There are over 20 million Americans who provide care for elderly loved ones. This allows older parents to continue to age on the spot in a comfortable environment and be close to their loved ones.
- Inability to discuss problems associated with the end of life Aging gracefully is no longer part of our culture. Billions of dollars are spent trying to avoid aging. It is a fact that no one lives forever. We all will die. If we don't die young, we die old. Therefore, we must prepare for this time. We need to be able to say what we want to do to stay alive. Some choose several medical tests, invasive and painful procedures and numerous hospitalizations to avoid any death. Others do not discuss death and do not express their wishes to others, and leave difficult decisions to family members. It is very scary impact on the family in a very difficult time. There is such a thing as death with dignity. This is the last thing we can say when we get old. Install extended directives now. The Five Desires — an advanced direct form — is a very complete and unique every other form of life and health, because it looks at all human needs: medical, personal, emotional, and spiritual. Five wishes also encourage discussion of your wishes with your family and doctor. Complete solid power of attorney for finance and durable power of attorney for health care. These simple documents allow another person to make financial and medical decisions for you if you become incapacitated in the future. You should also discuss the design of the will and the planning of the funeral arrangements. This will not only save you money by preparing for your final agreements, your family will be comforted knowing that your final wishes are being respected. This will ease the stress and allow them to celebrate you and your life.
In an effort to help family members become more informed and more able to help or even cope with the problems of your aging parent, there are resources. You just need to spend the time, have the energy and the commitment to get the right help at the right time. Being proactive and planning ahead, this process is much easier. Understand that your parents are adults and are responsible for their lives.
You can do what they allow you to do. Stay there and keep working with your parents and do not accept what they say personally. It is about them and the fear of aging and change, the fear of losing independence and the fear of losing control of their lives.
