Caregivers of Older Adults

Dictionary definition of hoarding states, “Laying up in store.  Instinctively collecting and laying up provisions for winter, as, the squirrel is a hoarding animal.”  Makes a lot of sense when we hear someone say, “They’re just squirreling it away” and yet you have to wonder if the hoarding issues of 1828 were very different from the hoarding problems we’re facing in today’s society – especially in the elderly population. 

Aging is inevitable, but it is still difficult to watch our parents or grandparents lose many of the freedoms and abilities many of us still enjoy without giving it much thought.  Freedom of movement and the ability to be independent is one of the major challenges for aging adults.  Being able to remain in familiar surroundings with the help of assistive devices offers comfort and dignity for everyone.

Now that I have your attention – let’s discuss some of those issues that men usually don’t like talking about – that is – your health!  While women are traditionally known for being much more proactive in terms of addressing their health concerns, men, on the other hand, appear to be more reluctant to acknowledge and address their own health issues and hesitate in approaching health services.  Much of the blame for this can be placed on society in general, which expects males to be “manly” and ignore pain.  As a person ages, a little pain can get worse or may even signal something more serious going on in the body. 

When we think of substance abuse, what comes to mind is often a teenager or young adult when in reality substance abuse among older adults is one of the fastest growing health problems facing our country.  A study in Annals of Epidemiology projected that

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provide important compliance and regulatory requirements for the Long Term Care setting. 

Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten what you went in to get or run into an old acquaintance at the mall – but draw a complete blank on their name?  If the answer is “yes” – know that you have plenty of company!  Do you know there is a name for that?  As we all face the aging process, we may begin experiencing “Age Related Memory Impairment” or “Senior Moments” which are physiological changes.  Whether you’re a caregiver for an aging parent or are concerned for your own well-being, these changes or slowing of mental processes can be disconcerting and a source of worry – could it be Alzheimer’s?

Do you ever find yourself reaching into the viscera of childhood reliving those painful memories of conflict or rejection by your parents?  Whether real or perceived, these recollections can readily surface especially if you are now in a position, as an adult child, with the responsibility of caring for your aging parents.  This can be made even more complicated if the parent is now suffering from some form of dementia and has difficulty remembering past incidences or even recognizing who you are. 

If we are to take to heart the proverb, “The eye is the mirror of the soul,” then it may be a good idea to make sure our eyes are in topnotch condition.  While many of us take great pains to exercise, eat nutritious meals to stay in good physical health, we don’t pay as close attention to the health of our eyes.  Just as the rest of our body ages, it is normal for our eyes to change as we age.  How often do we put off going for a regular eye exam and instead try compensating by turning on more lights or holding the newspaper at arm’s length?   

It may have been a difficult evening – getting up several times throughout the night to check on your mom or dad.  Perhaps you were worried and couldn’t sleep – the concerns of the day hovers intensely over the darkness of night.  As a caregiver you may find yourself without preparation, skills or even a desire or training to be the designated caregiver, but nonetheless, you are the one who is entrusted with this responsibility. How do you deal with feeling overwhelmed, tired or frustrated and often times also experience inadequacy for not being a “good enough” caregiver?  We often hear that the caregiver needs to take care of themselves in order to be better in their caregiving role, but how do you manage this when the reality of emotional overload overwhelms you?   Using prayer is a powerful way of coping by allowing your mind, body and spirit to be quiet and listen to a comforting prayer, scripture, reflection, song or story.

Growing older certainly has its challenges, but the elderly with diabetes can face an even more difficult road in order to continue to live a functional, active life.  The 2011 statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that