You Can Be the Key to Helping Your Senior Cope with Life Changes
Changes happen in life, but as your senior grows older, those changes may be some that she’s not as thrilled about. As her caregiver, you can help her to deal with those changes in a healthier way.
There’s a Difference Between What She Can Change and What She Can’t
In every situation in life, there’s a difference between what can be changed or adjusted and what can’t. For your senior, there may be aspects of her life changes that she can do something about. She might be able to adjust her eating habits in order to get more nutrients into her body, for example. But there are other aspects that she can’t change. If she’s got arthritis, she can’t just will the joint pain away. She can manage it to an extent, but only to an extent.
Reality Is Important, But So Is Positivity
It’s always important to make sure that reality is front and center, but that doesn’t mean that life must be negative. Positivity does have a place in life, if it’s not being used to sugarcoat reality or to pretend that what’s happening isn’t happening. Finding the positive piece of any life change can help your elderly family member to come to terms with not being in control like she wants to be.
Figure out Some Small Initial Steps
When your senior has a handle on what she can change and what her positive pieces are, she can start to put a plan into motion. Those small first steps will help her to come to better terms with whatever she’s facing. In terms of arthritis, she might be acknowledging what’s happening and understand that this gives her a chance to focus on what she needs to do, like starting to exercise in ways that help to strengthen her muscles and her joints.
Focusing on Gratitude Can Help
When she focuses on those little things that make her happy and feel grateful, those can help your elderly family member to adapt to the changes happening in her life. It’s difficult at first, especially if your senior is having a tough time with positivity but focusing on at least one thing to be grateful for each day can make a difference.
Help your senior to face up to the changes she’s encountering. It’s likely not easy for either of you, but it can be something you can tackle together.
Excerpt: Is your senior experiencing big, scary life changes?
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Caregiver in Manhattan, MT please contact the caring staff at AdvoCare Home Care Services today at 406-582-5402.
