Growing Old
Gracefully and Independently

by Tom McDermott

Getting older is a natural part of life, and everyone desires to remain healthy and independent for as long as possible.  In Monroe County alone, the number of people 65 and older will increase by nearly 85% in the next decade, according to the National Census Bureau.  Healthy habits and planning for care are great ways for this aging population to age gracefully.   

If you are a senior or have aging parents, you’ve probably already given some thought to elder care.  If not, now is a great time to start.  There are many issues to plan for when you or mom and dad begin to need assistance to maintain a high quality of life.  Although there is no way to stop the aging process, planning for care, along with a healthy lifestyle and a positive attitude, can prevent many of the issues that often come with growing older.

A study done by the Evergreen Institute on Elder Environments showed that 92% of seniors want to stay in their house.  And since 81% have no mortgage payments, that makes a lot of financial sense.  But this study also indicated that managing the household or a decline in health would mean that these seniors would have trouble living independently.

As families and individuals consider care options, people commonly think “Well, I’ll just help mom or dad stay home.  How hard can it be?”  Providing care for an elder can be more complicated than you might think.  Recent studies have shown that the effect on family members of caring for aging parents can be significant. 

The Family Caregiver’s Alliance reports that more than half of family caregivers experience symptoms of depression or other anxiety disorders, engage in substance abuse, or have chronic diseases.  Caregivers typically have more serious chronic medical conditions, diminished immune response, and are at a higher risk for premature death than non-caregivers.  The best way to prevent these issues is to train caregivers on how recognize and avoid factors that contribute to these problems.

Some questions to consider when caring for a mother or father include:

• How do mom and dad see themselves in the role of care receiver?
• What does she/he need from you?
• What can she/he do for herself?
• Does she/he know what to expect from you?
• Can you meet those expectations?
• What other support is available in your family and community?

There are other options as well.  One is to choose professionals who can provide care only as needed.  Many non-medical caregivers, such as our company, Touching Hearts at Home, are hired on a flexible basis to provide just the type of service mom or dad needs, and nothing more.  This includes everything from driving assistance to cooking meals and ensuring proper nutrition.  We often find conflict between parents who want to remain independent and their children, who want to keep them safe.  We can help by providing solutions that represent compromise.  Often that is all that’s needed to keep everybody happy.  And in the end, this provides very important respite for the whole family.

As families and individuals throughout Monroe County prepare for the impact of aging, it is essential to understand the effects of the aging process.  Take time to investigate the care options in this area.  A proactive approach will help you and your family best determine a course of action that can help you remain healthy and happy.

ROCHESTER RESOURCE
Touching Hearts at Home
585-271-7390
www.touchinghearts.com