How to Keep Older Adults Active and Engaged
As family caregivers, we strive to meet all our loved ones’ needs. We give medication reminders, cook meals, manage doctors’ appointments, and keep schedules. Our daily tasks can be challenging, but one in particular gives families a lot of grief: ensuring our loved ones are stimulated and entertained.
If a senior’s abilities have waned, it can be challenging to find ways to adapt or replace the pastimes they once loved. Sometimes, though, our loved ones simply lose their motivation to participate in life. They may complain, nag us, or spend all day sleeping or watching television. What is a caregiver to do? It all depends on a senior’s personality and their living situation.
Helping Seniors Find a New Sense of Purpose
I recently spoke with a caregiver named Ann who was struggling with how to adapt to life as a caregiver. For the last several decades, Ann has had no problem loading her dishwasher, washing her clothes or making her bed. That is, until her widowed father moved in with her and her family. Now, her father follows her and her husband Jim around the house, telling them how things should be done. Ann just doesn’t know how to handle it graciously. Sound familiar?
At first, the arrangement seemed perfect for everyone. After Ann’s mother died, her dad knew he should sell his house, but he didn’t want to move into an apartment in a senior living community. He felt he still had too much energy. Ann and Jim, even with their two teenagers, had plenty of room and thought Ann’s father could help out at home.
Unfortunately, that is the problem: He helps too much. Ann’s dad used to own his own business and managed many employees. He had been very successful, but after he retired, Ann’s mom used to complain that he wanted to run the house. At the time, Ann didn’t think much of it, but now all the “advice” and criticism is getting old. Ann tries to be patient but…
Continue reading on Agingcare for tips about how to keep an older adult active and engaged:
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Leslie Kernisan, MD, MPH, is offering two free caregiver training webinars to people who notice that their aging parents need some help now or will in the future. Sign up now to receive the free newsletter from Better Health While Aging and, if you choose, view two great caregiving webinars that can help you help your older parents (and yourself). Or you can go directly to the trainings page.
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