Sometimes a Sibling Can Feel Shut Out of Caregiving
Photo credit Christian Fregnan
There are countless reasons why some family caregivers wind up being solely responsible for their aging parents’ care. It’s important to understand that every family’s dynamics and history are unique, and each family member has their own reasons and motivations for choosing to participate in or walk away from caregiving. I’ve spoken with many siblings who have felt barred from receiving updates and partaking in decision-making. These are a few of the most common reasons these family members have been excluded from caregiving. Family caregivers take their role very serious...
Source: Minding Our Elders - January 21, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
Minimizing Grief for a Surviving Spouse with Dementia
Photo credit Cristian Newman
My struggle with this dilemma began when my father started receiving hospice care. At this point in my caregiving journey, both my parents had dementia and shared a room in a nursing home. For many years, they had lived in their own private rooms on the same floor, but the end was near for both of them. We felt they needed to be together during this time, and their money was nearly gone from the expense of two nursing home rooms. At first, I did not want Mom to know that Dad was going on hospice care since I knew she’d immediately think “death.” This correlation is what most people focus ...
Source: Minding Our Elders - January 19, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
Siblings Who Care More About Their Inheritance Than Mom and Dad ’s Care
Photo credit Matheus Ferrero
Ah, siblings. Some are a joy—our very first and forever friends in life. Others are more of a nuisance, a source of drama that comes and goes over the years. But when a parent falls ill or needs additional help as they age, these family relationships are truly put to the test. Some adult children work seamlessly together to find the best care solutions for their aging parents. However, some siblings don’t contribute at all, leaving the heavy lifting, sacrifices, and difficult choices up to one adult child, often a daughter. Still, others are involved sporadically, only deigning to give thei...
Source: Minding Our Elders - January 18, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
How Do I Get Dad Out of His Cluttered, Unsafe Home?
Photo credit Shim d'Silva
People want to stay in their own homes. You hear it and read about it all the time. And there's some merit to that. Most of us can relate to the fact that relocating is emotionally charged. Add the fact that our parents get sick and tired of suffering the indignities of aging and often feel bossed around by everyone from the government to their kids, and you can understand why they often get stubborn. Where they live may be, in their minds, their "last stand." Many elders do well in their homes. They graciously accept the help they need, have cleaning people come in, and are even able...
Source: Minding Our Elders - January 17, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
The Challenge of Smoothing Transition to Facility Care for 95-Year-Old Grandma
Photo credit Nickolas Nikolic
Dear Carol: My mother, 74, has been caring for my 95-year-old grandmother, but Grandma’s developed health problems that we can’t manage so we’re moving her to a nursing home. The place has a good reputation and one of Grandma’s friends is there and likes it. Even so, we’re guaranteed to hear nothing but complaints since at the best of times that’s how Grandma is. How do we approach what will be an increased onslaught of complaining? – EL
Continue reading on Inforum for more about coping with a complaining elder who is moving to a care facility:
Minding Our Elders:...
Source: Minding Our Elders - January 16, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
