Friday December 22, 2006 SGN.org |
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Volume 34 Issue 51 |
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Wednesday, Jan 07, 2009
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Real Estate |
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| Holidays: Relative expectations | |
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It's the time of year when relatives you haven't seen all year converge on your house, or invite you to theirs. While you may expect brothers and sisters to resort to their old sibling rivalries and parents to tell their grown kids to put on their coats, there's one thing you may not expect: the realization that parents and grandparents are becoming less able to function physically and/or mentally in their daily lives. Maybe Mom has become so arthritic that she can't prepare her traditional holiday stuffing anymore. Maybe Grandpa can't remember something you told him 15 minutes ago. While these things can be depressing, you can turn your concern into action by actually using this time to assess how to help your loved ones in the coming year. - Nutritional needs: One of the signs that your loved one may need intervention is a noticeable loss of weight (they may be depressed or forgetting to eat). Meals on Wheels and senior centers offer many options to make healthy eating easier and more enjoyable. - Eyesight and hearing: If either seems more compromised than in the past, perhaps it's time to get them tested for updated eyeglass prescriptions or hearing aids. - Transportation: Is your loved one less capable of driving safely? Perhaps arranging another mode of transportation through neighbors or a medical service would help. - Home modifications: There are many devices available to help older people remain independent and safe in their homes: putting larger grips on their coffee mugs; tacking down rugs to prevent tripping; having sturdy railings and bars installed in bathrooms, stairways, etc. for them to hold onto; amplifiers for their phones, and larger print versions of books, crosswords, prescription labels, phone numbers, etc. Expecting the signs of aging in your loved ones, and using the holidays as an opportunity to help them can turn your holiday experience into a real gift for the both of you in the coming year. Finally, Seek Help if You Need It Sometimes life can feel overwhelming. If holiday stress becomes so difficult that you find you are having trouble doing daily tasks, or that problems are affecting your relationships with friends and family, you should consider seeking professional counseling. Asking for help is never a sign of weakness or failure, especially in situations too difficult to handle alone. You can find help at www.unitedbehavioralhealth.com. Click on "News & Research," then "Resources" to connect you with the wide ranges of services and information you need. Courtesy of ARA Content |
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