{"id":268,"date":"2024-11-13T18:19:14","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T18:19:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agewithgracecare.com\/?p=268"},"modified":"2024-11-13T18:29:40","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T18:29:40","slug":"look-at-things-differently","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agewithgracecare.com\/?p=268","title":{"rendered":"Look at Things Differently–See what the Elderly CAN do."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hi Team!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have two thoughts for you that\u00a0both involve looking at things a little differently and consider changing the way we think about certain things.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. I shared this quote with Tanna and Tonia, we all loved it and I keep thinking about it so I want to share it with you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Each difficult interaction\u00a0is an opportunity\u00a0to learn how to love at a deeper level – A God-like level.\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We all have difficult interactions in our lives and what a great attitude to take on, that it is an opportunity to learn to love deeper.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Think about what your client CAN do rather than what they can’t. <\/strong>A couple of things I used to do with my Dad that we both enjoyed.  Some of you cared for him and had some fun with him too, thank you!  He loved his van, he couldn’t drive it anymore so went for rides in it, he loved it when we would see deer.  We took a ride every day and during the right season we would count the deer we would see.  He used to love golf, he couldn’t anymore so we would pick a different golf course around CO to drive to and see.  He used to build wood toys for his grandkids, I found some kid wood toy kits that we would work on together.  He loved these outings and activities and it was so fun to see him smile and get excited to see a deer or admire the finished wood project.  Look for things your client CAN do and have some fun!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The article below is written toward someone caring for their family member.  I hope you find it useful.<\/strong>All of you are incredible people and again, we are grateful to work with you!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person confined-to-home (or assisted living or nursing home), just wants to have fun! You are focused on their safety, finances, medical treatment, medications, privacy, nutrition and therapy. You busy yourself with monitoring their progress (or decline) and doing everything in your power to keep them comfortable. You worry about their reduced energy level, increasing fatigue, physical weakness and variable mental status. But do you know how important it is for them to just have fun? To laugh deeply, live in the moment, to briefly not be just old and frail, to forget pain?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OK, so what can you do? I know that you are thinking, well, they can\u2019t do that much, but you might be surprised at all the options. Too often thoughtful families accommodate so much to their senior\u2019s weakening state that they overlook how much they can do and enjoy! While it\u2019s good to try to bring the world to them with visits, letters, phone calls and email, it\u2019s also important and possible to keep bringing them out in the world. Of course, it may involve more work for you \u2014 transporting walker or wheelchair, assisting in\/out of cars and doors, walking slowly, negotiating steps carefully, finding bathrooms, keeping him\/her dry, warm (or cool) \u2014 so be prepared for a different pace and smaller goals. And some cajoling might be needed to just get going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mini-field trips<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seniors look forward to having a day out, but as they age, they don\u2019t have the stamina or mobility for trips to fascinating museums, over-stimulating casinos, monster malls, giant sports stadiums, wooded parks, loud modern restaurants, etc. But they may be able to go out for an hour or two. My mom adored a simple trip to the supermarket \u2014 colorful flowers, fanciful balloons, acres of fresh, bright produce, bakery smells, energetic families with huge carts. She pushed her walker along, senses on overload, straying down enticing aisles. We didn\u2019t buy a thing. But it was an hour that she talked about for days \u2013 a new topic of discussion with her nursing home buddies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another day we drove one short mile to a local antique shop. \u201cI had those gold Fostoria glasses,\u201d she pointed out. \u201cYour dad and I would stop at the Fostoria factory store on trips to see my brother in Washington, DC.\u201d Talk about the glassware led to reminiscing about her deceased brother, until she0interrupted herself; \u201cLook at the quilts \u2013 just like Grandmother\u2019s.\u201d And so on, pushing her walker forward toward the next memory. After about an hour, she had had enough and home we went.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first trip to a small local department store just before Christmas involved a little arm twisting. But once there, lights, perfume, soft velvety fashions and just ahead a decorated Christmas tree, worked their magic. She wheeled ahead, touching, smelling, exclaiming. Onward through silky lingerie, cute children\u2019s clothes and glittering jewelry. At about the hour mark, like Cinderella, she was done. She relived it all week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently she and I went to a small jewelry store 10 minutes from her home \u2013 she had favorite rings that needed resizing. Instead of just taking them for her, I invited her to come along. For the first time in a long time she became the customer, the center of attention. Soon she asked for a chair, her shopping done. But for her it was a big accomplishment, an errand, like in the old days she so misses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My father-in-law loved an afternoon drive looking at properties we were considering purchasing. He was curious about these houses we described, their yards, their roofs, the neighborhoods. Since we didn\u2019t even bring his wheelchair or get out of the car, it was like a guided tour. \u201cI\u2019ve been in that house\u201d he\u2019d say. \u201cThis was always a good neighborhood\u201d he\u2019d remember. \u201cLet\u2019s see what they are building on that hill.\u201d Other mini trips for him were to the cemetery where his wife was buried, their first house in that area and a volunteer organization they founded. He remembered being a neighbor, a businessman, a father and a contributor to the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other ideas might be a quilt shop for a former quilter, a hardware store for the ardent handyman, the library, bakery, family style restaurant, plant store or flower shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun at home<\/p>\n\n\n\n