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What Boomers Need to Understand About Aging and Providing Care
For those who provide care for seniors, the most difficult parts of aging in place are not learned beforehand, but during the journey. Here are a few “a-ha” moments to consider:
1. Many seniors perceive the wheelchair to be one appliance before the gurney.
While the wheelchair is designed for necessary movement, seniors dislike the stigma associated with its use. They want to maintain as much normalcy as they can. 2. Traditional chairs are not designed to move.
Traditional, four-legged dining chairs rely on friction (between the legs of the chair and the floor) to remain upright and stable. Thus, any force applied to move a seated person damages the chair and flooring and requires the caregiver to exert significant physical effort (push-pull-shove-twist) each time mealtime assistance is provided. 3. Cushioned flooring further increases resistance when attempting to move a seated person.
While cushioned flooring is credited with minimizing serious injury should a fall occur, indentations formed under each chair leg make it almost impossible for a caregiver to move a chair with someone sitting in it. 4. Seniors with limited mobility require help getting up-to and away-from the table.
The process of getting a person seated at a table involves a series of steps most people take for granted. For those with limited mobility, these steps often require assistance from others. 5. Today, seniors are caring for seniors.
In many homes, the person providing care is also a senior. As such, they too are at risk of incurring injury as their own physical strength and muscle coordination has diminished. 6. The kitchen is the heart of the home!
Today’s seniors were raised in the 1930's - 1940's. For them the kitchen (table) was the center of all family activity. Recognizing that most care provided to seniors occurs “behind closed doors“, families should strive to make the dining experience positive and dignified! 7. Seniors don’t want to be a burden, a nuisance or an inconvenience.
Seniors don’t want to be a spectacle. Fussing over them at the dining table is embarrassing. They simply want to be treated like everyone else. 8. "I didn’t realize mealtime would be so challenging!"
The lost of mobility also results in the loss of independence as there are things they can no longer do on their own. Seniors are expected to wait for someone to provide mealtime assistance. Many seniors perceive the wheelchair to be one appliance before the gurney.
While the wheelchair is designed for necessary movement, seniors dislike the stigma associated with its use. They want to maintain as much normalcy as they can. Parents don’t want to be a burden or an inconvenience to their kids.
They don’t want to be a spectacle. Fussing over them at the dining table is embarrassing. They want to be treated like everyone else. Aging in place commonly involves seniors caring for seniors.
Aging in place works as long as one partner remains able-bodied. Proactively preventing injury is an important component for that to continue. Mealtimes provide an opportunity to build up the self-worth of any aging parent.
The care provided for one with mobility challenges often takes place “behind closed doors” (bedroom, bathroom, etc.) However, the dining room is a very public room in the house. Family members should strive to make that experience as dignified as possible. "I did not realize mealtime would become so challenging.”
Whether it’s someone dealing with a loss of mobility or a family member providing care for a loved one, mealtimes often become the hardest part of the day.