10/Nov/2009
Seven Ways to Diminish
Stress
For Boomers and Aging
Parents
By William
Freshwater
Homewatch Caregivers
of
More
than 60% of adult children live away from their aging parents and the holidays
may be the one time when Boomers and their aging parents gather.
It is important to use that time to assess
their overall mood, gauge their level of worry, talk about health concerns and create
a family plan that involves the aging parent’s input to reduce their stress and
anxiety about their future:
1.
Get an overview of your parent’s financial health.
The
national average of senior citizens living in poverty was 9.9% (U.S. Census
2007). We need an overview of our parent’s financial status and we must have an
honest conversation of what they can afford, from housing to healthcare.
Eliminate extravagant holidays if your parents can’t participate. Determine
their priorities for the coming year and find out what local resources are open
for them to reach these goals.
2.
Be aware of physical and mental exhaustion.
Most
adult children struggle with the fact that their parents aren’t able to do what
they used to do. Keep in mind that when you are stressed, this affects your
whole family. Instead of forcing group activities, respect their need and
desire for time for rest, including movies, tea time and naps.
3.
Keep tabs on healthy eating habits.
The
average American gains about 5 pounds during the holiday seasons. For someone
with an age-related disease like diabetes, extra pounds can lead to major
health problems. Plan balanced family meals in advance.
Forgo high calorie sugar treats. See if
vitamin supplements work with their medication schedule and encourage their use
of the B vitamins.
4.
Give your parents a time to share traditions and reflect.
Make
sure you allow your parents a set-aside time to talk about their lives and
their loved-ones. The holidays spark memories of good times and loved ones
lost. Take the time to talk about your parents friends and loved-ones to help
them enjoy the holidays now.
5.
Be attentive to changes in your parent
Do
they need more help than usual?
Because
you may only see your parents once or twice a year, the holiday season is the
best time to assess their in-home needs. Seniors living independently need to
know that you are aware of their changing needs and can help them live the
lifestyle they want with in-home care.
Have
they changed their daily routines and activities?
Is Grandma avoiding social situations she
used to enjoy?
Does Dad seem to have
more worries than before and do those worries seem out of proportion to
reality, such as a real threat to his safety.
6.
Talk about medications and their effectiveness.
Find
out if your aging parent recently started taking another medicine or is using
more of a particular medication than before. Medication side effects, such as
breathing problems, irregular heartbeat or tremors, can simulate symptoms of
anxiety. Also, an increased use of medication, or alcohol, may indicate an
attempt to "self-medicate."
Use this time to determine who should be assigned durable medical power
of attorney so that your aging parent’s physician can talk to you about any
health-related concerns you have.
7.
Pay
attention to their overall mood.
Depression
and anxiety often occur together. Tearfulness, apathy and a loss of interest in
formerly enjoyable activities are possible signs of depression.
In the winter months, more than 10 million
people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) which exacerbates feelings
of fatigue, anxiety or “the blahs.”
Encourage your parent to be as physically active as they can be and to
remain socially connected through clubs, senior centers, churches and
synagogues.
According to Mental Health
About Homewatch CareGivers
Founded
in 1980, Homewatch CareGivers is the largest, most experienced provider of
full-service in-home care for people of all ages, including seniors, children,
veterans, the chronically ill and those recovering from medical procedures. For more information: 1-800-777-9770
or
www.homewatchcaregivers.com
