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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. To seniors, the wheelchair is one appliance before the gurney.
The wheelchair holds a stigma of being weak or frail. Anytime they can use a normal chair, they will feel an increased sense of dignity. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. "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.