As summer approaches, and the seasons change, questions arise related to including senior parents and relatives in activities, and the adjustments that may be required to adapt family events to circumstances involving caregiving.
The news site NorthFulton.com posted an article last week in their Ask Pam column, regarding the best way to approach a father-in-law with dementia moving in with his daughter and her husband.
For those unacquainted with the complexities associated with becoming a caregiver to a memory-impaired adult, especially a close family member, the answer offered might seem overly-promotional.
"Our memory-care trained Caregivers can help for just a few hours at a time or stay with your Father the entire time you are at the beach," says Pam, in response to a concern over how the family will handle a planned trip to the ocean.
But such news of short-term help can be just what someone struggling to adapt needs to hear to face the challenges involved in taking on the caregiver role.
Of course, at Provision Living we witness everyday the obstacles families face in addressing the realities of memory impairment amongst loved ones, but after anxieties are assuaged by a reassuring discussion, or the sight of a father, mother, aunt or uncle, adjusting to life with the care and support needed to continue thriving, the resulting inspiration to face the next challenge becomes a part of the way day to day problems are solved.
Sometimes it just takes a creative approach, the notion of a potential solution where previously all that existed was worry and frustration, and from that seed of hope can grow a new approach.
As one blogger points out, we all forget things, and perhaps this simple acknowledgement is enough to break a cycle of confusion and nervousness about how to deal with a change in the situation between oneself and a family member who is not only forgetting things now and then.
Still, the perspective is important, and it can enable those performing part-time, or more frequent caregiving roles to find the patience, wisdom, and understanding to seek answers, get support and find solutions.
They're out there, but you have to look for them.
As another blogger discusses, it could be a matter of finding out ways to discuss the passing of a family member with someone who has Alzheimer's. A confused world is a tough starting place to address such a difficult issue.
Ideas for handling the issue?
It might be ok to tell the person that the deceased loved one has gone to visit another family member, or friend. It may seem like lying but it grants the peace of mind and reassurance needed, and prevents the person from perhaps having to grieve all over again, which is a much more painful experience.
What might seem like an impossible thing to do can at the very least be considered in the context of a discussion with experienced caregivers who've faced the situation before. No matter what decision is made on how to handle an issue, the process is supportive and engaged, rather than isolated.
Reach out and ask questions, as the summer approaches and we enjoy the warmth and fresh air of the season. The help is out there.
(Image courtesy of *jude* on Flickr)
