Getting older is a very hard thing for many Americans today. As the person ages, the often face increased numbers of physical and mental challenges. Most often, these challenges are paired by emotions of anger, frustration and fear. Families aren’t always able to care for their older loved ones in the way they want, leaving them to find assisted living options.
Families have to consider assisted living Villanova when they see memory and personality changes. Older adults often try to cope with the mental changes they experience, but this can lead to a very dangerous living situation. Families may find, for example, that their loved ones are not taking the right mediations on time. Some families regret not seeking additional help when a tragic accident occurs that leaves their loved one hospitalized or worse.
Many older adults struggle with the aging process. Some of the struggle is due to fear of the unknown, a desire to keep control and anxiety about what they are experiencing. It is frustrating and strange for those who cannot remember or don’t realize anything is wrong. When family members confront elderly patients, the conversation is often tense and awkward. The family usually doesn’t want conflict and the older adult doesn’t want to be confronted with the truth of the situation. Sometimes, patients don’t even believe there is anything wrong at all.
More often than not, a loved one feels they are betrayed by those closest to them. Some older patients feel assisted living is really their family “just passing them off.” But, loved ones cannot keep up with the intense care older patients need. Those who have physical struggles have to be constantly lifted and helped with their mobility. Those who have mental struggles or aren’t realistic about their limits have to be monitored closely to avoid severe accidents. Those who are mean because of personality changes have to be helped by someone with very thick stick. Experts often recommend that even if a child is caring for his or her older parent, vacations and breaks must be had to give that caretaker time to rejuvenate and rest. Everyone gets worn down, but when an older patient lives with family members, they aren’t paid to work round-the-clock shifts.
Change is very hard for most people, especially when the change is perceived to be bad. Sometimes these feelings can be mitigated if the family introduces the aging loved one ot their new community months or weeks in advance. Giving a family member time to warm up to new friends can help them feel more at ease when time for the big move comes.
