Watching parents grow older can be an emotional drain on adult children. It
is especially difficult for those who still want to see their mother and father
as vibrant, active, middle-age individuals.
"Parent aging is often a psychological wakeup call for baby boomers as it
reminds them that they, too, are aging," says Timothy Schwab, M.D., chief
medical officer of SCAN Health Plan. "It’s the time when boomers first see their
children start on a life path of their own and are dealing with the reality that
their parents are no longer as physically or mentally as sharp as they once were."
According to Dr. Schwab, it is not only important that adult children recognize
and appreciate these changes, but they need to ask themselves "How can I help my
parents remain strong and independent for as long as possible?" Adult children
should begin by learning more about the aging process. For example, hearing,
vision and minor memory loss are normal in older adults; but there are ways to
accommodate these losses.
"Over half of all people over 65 experience some hearing loss," said Dr. Schwab.
"If that’s happening to your parents, try speaking in a slightly louder tone —
but don’t shout — and in a lower pitch since high-frequency sounds become
harder to hear. Be careful to not drop off sounds at the end of a sentence, and
make sure you face your parent directly when speaking so they can see your lips
and gestures. It’s also helpful to reduce background noise such as the radio or
TV when you are talking."
Older adults should have complete eye exams every one to two years. "If your
loved one’s sight is beginning to worsen, encourage them to try prescription
reading glasses, large-print reading materials or magnifying aids," said Dr.
Schwab. "Make sure that their home has increased lighting, telephones and clocks
with large numbers and large print labels on their microwave and stove. You may
want to put colored tape on the edge of their steps to help avoid a fall or
install motion lights that turn on automatically when someone enters the room.
All of these things may help avoid accidents caused by poor eyesight."
If a parent is suffering from memory loss, Dr. Schwab advises family members to
communicate carefully. "When asking a question, keep it simple; and avoid
multiple choices," he said. "And in a polite way ask them to repeat back to you
important information so you know that it has not only been heard but has been
understood as well. If you feel they have more than minor forgetfulness, make
sure their doctor knows and can evaluate them further if necessary."
With more than 25 percent of American families involved in some way with elder/parent
care, caregivers’ resources should also be reviewed. "Don’t be shy about
involving a geriatric care manager, clergy member or family counselor when their
participation would be helpful," added Dr. Schwab.
With greater understanding of the aging process, adult children can nurture
their family bond while helping their aging parents maintain the dignity and
quality of life they richly deserve.
SCAN Health Plan is one of California’s fastest-growing senior-focused health
plans, currently serving more than 80,000 Medicare-eligible individuals in Los
Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties. Since its
founding nearly 30 years ago, SCAN has demonstrated a unique passion for finding
innovative ways to enhance its members’ abilities to manage their own health and
continue to control how and where they live. Further information may be obtained
at www.scanhealthplan.com.
Source: SCAN Health Plan
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