Elder Care Solutions – Dealing With Difficult Aging Parents

Ah, the empty nest. Their teenage children have moved out of the house. You have time to take a yoga class, have lunch with a friend, or learn a new hobby, until dad moves in with you because he can’t live alone anymore. Caring for aging parents is hard, no matter how much you love them.

Caring for elderly parents can be even more difficult when the dad is uncooperative. And even though he’s a cranky old man, she’s his cranky old man, and it’s his job to find an elder care solution that works for him. Here are 3 common elder care support problems and how to overcome them:

medication crashes

Not taking medication is one of the main reasons older people are admitted to nursing homes. To avoid nursing home elder care solutions and keep mom home longer, you’ll need to make sure she takes her prescribed medications.

First, recognize that there may be valid reasons why Mom refuses to take her pills: nasty side effects, interactions with other prescription drugs, cost concerns, forgetfulness, or dementia. Experts also say there’s another possibility: Mom may be rebelling against role reversal. This woman, who spent her entire life taking care of her own children, is now forced to take medication in the same way as a 2-year-old.

When she’s caring for elderly parents, one way to get through the medication meltdown is to allow her to feel some control over the situation. For example, she gives him a choice of what kind of snack or drink she has with her pills. Other experts suggest a reward system. For example, you might suggest, “Mom, you can watch your TV show after you take your pills.”

silent suffering

Cultural or generational beliefs actually prevent some seniors from sharing important health information or concerns with family and doctors. While Mom’s ability to suffer in silence might qualify her for sainthood, she will do nothing to ease discomfort, prolong life, or create elder care solutions.

If you are caring for elderly parents who are suffering in silence, the family will need to put on their Sherlock Holmes hats to monitor your care. Watch for small changes in behavior or appearance. Are dad’s clothes starting to hang off his already skinny body? Is your shopping list for him made up of some bagels and cans of soda with no nutritional value? When was the last time mom changed the litter box? Noticing small but important changes will help you plan the right elder care solutions.

car puzzles

One of the biggest battles many adult children who care for an elderly parent face is talking to a parent about relinquishing a driver’s license. Whether Mom can no longer see when there’s a glare or Dad asks passengers to help him judge distances, you’ll need to act to keep your parents and other drivers safe.

Some experts recommend organizing an intervention. During this meeting, family, friends, and health professionals can share concerns with your parents, as well as facts about how their driving performance has deteriorated. In serious situations, you may need to notify your parents at the local Department of Motor Vehicles.

Caring for elderly parents can be challenging, especially when you find that you need to raise your father. With patience, a little detective work, and compassionate intervention, you can make your elder care solutions more manageable.