Eldercare Services » consultation http://eldercareanswers.com/blog Covering All Your Senior Family Member’s Care Needs Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:07:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Mom Needs Care and Siblings are in Disagreement http://eldercareanswers.com/blog/2010/04/mom-needs-care-and-siblings-are-in-disagreement/ http://eldercareanswers.com/blog/2010/04/mom-needs-care-and-siblings-are-in-disagreement/#comments Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:22:19 +0000 Linda Fodrini-Johnson http://eldercareanswers.com/blog/?p=308 Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

Often we hear from families, that need services for a parent, that their brother or sister doesn’t think mom needs anything or they feel she needs 10 times the care she really needs to stay safe and well.  This conflict can sometimes delay an intervention that would benefit all family members.

It is hard to accept that a parent is in need of an intervention due to cognitive decline that might impair judgment and safety.  It is also hard to insist that a parent needs help who is physically frail but resists having help.  Often this resistance stems from the unfounded idea that accepting care might be a signal that the family might try to move them from their beloved home.  Having a consultation with a professional Geriatric Care Manager or attending a class for “family caregivers” often allows all the family to hear the same information and make more informed decisions.

Finding the right balance of services for mom, that allows her to retain her dignity but keeps her safe, should be the goal of meetings with geriatric professionals.  Mom’s values will have to be considered in any major decision in order to preserve quality of life.   It is important that families choose to work with someone who is certified as a care manager and a member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.

Making pre-mature and not well thought out decisions can cause great stress to families – know your options, know the costs and look for solutions that respect the dignity and values of the older person.

]]> http://eldercareanswers.com/blog/2010/04/mom-needs-care-and-siblings-are-in-disagreement/feed/ 0 Family Caregivers – Share the Care http://eldercareanswers.com/blog/2010/03/family-caregivers-%e2%80%93-share-the-care/ http://eldercareanswers.com/blog/2010/03/family-caregivers-%e2%80%93-share-the-care/#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:06:14 +0000 Linda Fodrini-Johnson http://eldercareanswers.com/blog/?p=231 Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

Often families try to do all the care themselves out of love or necessity – or maybe “control”.  Whatever it is that causes you to be the only one caring for a dependent older adult – you need to know the importance of finding a balance and sharing the care.

 

Caregiver research shows that at least 50% of those caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease suffer from untreated clinical depression.   Depression can lead to serious physical health issues.

 

Learn to ask for help from other family members.  Classes, support groups or a consultation with a Geriatric Care Manager can help you with this new way of being assertive.   Trying to be the only caregiver may interfere with  your relationships with other family members.  Not only do you miss that intimacy with spouse/children/extended family, but also you could be depriving the frail family member of the benefits or enrichment from a community respite or activity program. 

 

Ask for help – you are important to the well being of your ill family member.  A healthy you will better care for another.  Self-care is a challenge and professional Geriatric Care Managers can help you get the balance you need as a family caregiver.
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