How to Handle a Shopaholic Older Adult
“Mom! Where do all these packages keep coming from?!”
“Dad, what are all these new charges on your credit card?”
As our loved ones age, their shopping habits may escalate, causing family caregivers a great deal of grief. Discussing finances is a difficult task but trying to actively monitor and limit a spouse or parent’s spending is an entirely different matter.
Why Some Older Adults Feel Compelled to Shop: There are several possible reasons that might explain an elder’s need to buy, buy, buy. Some seniors have had shopaholic tendencies their whole lives. Just because a person gets older and has less discretionary income doesn’t mean that they’ll automatically adjust such a deeply ingrained behavior. In fact, even seniors who weren’t big shoppers previously may ramp up their spending in an attempt to quell feelings of depression, boredom and/or loneliness.
As friends, family and abilities dwindle, retail therapy can give many people a short-lived mood boost. Online ordering, television shopping channels…
Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories. “For anyone having to walk the last segments of life with a loved one, read this.” …Delores
Support a caregiver or jump-start discussion in support groups with real stories – for bulk orders of Minding Our Elders e-mail Carol
