Accepting Help for Seniors: It’s Not Giving Up on Your Loved One

In Isaac Asimov’s opinion, “The easiest way to solve a problem is to deny it exists.” This is a typical belief for many family caregivers when their aging loved one is diagnosed with a terminal illness or chronic condition, such as dementia. And while refusing to admit this new reality might instill some measure of comfort in assuming that life can go forward like it always has, the truth, of course, is the fact that acceptance is essential to obtaining necessary senior care and family support.

Often at the crux of denial are feelings of guilt, helplessness, and in many cases incompetence in the power to “fix things.” And it’s understandable for a family member to wish to accomplish everything possible independently to give the care a loved one needs. However, reaching out for help for seniors from professional elder caregivers like CareWorks Health Services can yield major benefits for a senior loved one and his or her family members. By dealing with the situation head-on, you can proactively create customized senior care plans that will effectively take care of any issues being experienced now or once the condition progresses.

AARP provides some practical points to consider for families struggling to acknowledge a senior loved one’s diagnosis and need for senior care help:

• It is possible to be TOO positive. Keeping up a sunny disposition is very beneficial, but can actually be harmful if not tempered with a dose of reality. Often aging adults who have been diagnosed with a chronic disease find relief in talking openly and honestly about what they’re facing. And acceptance is paramount to supplying opportunities for care discussions.
• Acceptance is certainly not giving up. Rather, accepting your loved one’s condition opens the door to understanding effective strategies to regulate the condition, and to finding the supportive services that will allow for some level of senior independence and the highest possible quality of life.
• Cherish the time you have with your senior loved one. Letting go of denial will allow you to shift your focus to setting up a new normal. There is something liberating about eliminating the elephant in the room, allowing for an unencumbered closeness with your loved one.
• Allow others to help. Being confronted with a difficult diagnosis in a senior loved one can be a major undertaking, and it’s very important for family caregivers to ensure sufficient time is available on a consistent, regular basis for self-care. Accept any help offered by family, friends, your religious organization, etc., or reach out to an established home care agency like CareWorks Health Services. Keep in mind that you can only offer the very best care for your family member when you’re in excellent health, physically and emotionally.

Selecting a dependable partner in home care in Huntington Beach and surrounding areas is key. CareWorks Health Services offers a variety of home care services so you can spend higher quality time together with the senior you love. Contact us or call (949) 859-4700 for an in-home consultation to learn more.