Adult Care
What Part of the
Equation are You?
Choices
Are you, or is someone you know
worried about your aging loved ones?
By Clare Colamaria, Founder
of A Seniors Choice Online
It is one thing to be thrown into crisis mode and forced
to make quick decisions on unstudied facts because of
sudden illness or tragic mishaps of a senior loved one, but
it is a totally different situation and feeling to observe the
changes of our loved ones over time. Some of our elders are
well aware of their gradual decline and are faced with fears,
worries and stresses. One of which is for them to actually
admit and discuss thoughts: “I shouldn’t share my fears and
worries with my children or caregivers because I do not want
to burden them; they have their own lives and concerns. I
don’t want to be more trouble for them.”
I hear this a great deal from my clients. This thought
process can be dangerous. This type of thought pattern is
an obstacle for protecting themselves and the ones they
love. I would encourage you, if you are a senior, to let
your loved ones know your concerns, worries or fears. It
will allow them to help you in areas of importance such
as your safety, continuing your independence as long as
possible, downsizing if that is your wish, securing your
finances and your estate. When lines of communication are
open everyone involved will be in a more stable emotional
position, which in turn will allow for the proper choices to
be made in securing a comfortable and safe lifestyle for you.
On the other hand, some of our elders are unaware of
their decline due to disease which affects their memory
or their ability to make informed and rational decisions.
In cases such as these, loved ones must become involves
and take the initiative to explore safety, finances and
estate planning for their senior loved one. It is best to seek
professional assistance in these very personal matters.
Then there are the cases where decline is evident to
everyone except the senior loved one. It could be because
they mentally still feel 25 years old and they continue to
push themselves to unrealistic goals or because they are flat
out in denial that they may need some form of assistance.
Or, perhaps they feel that if they admit to needing assistance,
their loved ones and/or caregivers will barge in and take
over completely, leaving them with no say in the mat ѕȁ