After a long stay at a Phoenix hospital or rehabilitation facility following an accident or injury, things around the house probably aren’t in the same condition that seniors are used to living with; and have you thought about the additional help they might require to focus on their recovery? Answer the following questions to determine if you have made the appropriate preparations to get your senior ready to return home from the hospital.
• Groceries and pantries have been re-stocked
• Meals have been prepared so the senior doesn’t need to worry about cooking or meal planning
• The home has been restored to its normal state, with dishes washed, bedding changed, and laundry put away
• Arrangements have been made to help the senior with any required physiotherapy exercises
• Arrangements have been made to help the senior with daily tasks, like dressing, washing and so on
• Someone is available to upkeep the home while the senior recovers
These are all important elements to get seniors ready to come home from the hospital or rehabilitation facility so that their comfort and safety remains the top priority. Since families have a lot on their plates when a loved one is recovering from an accident or injury, home caregivers can fill the void and take care of all of the following tasks.
One of the hardest conversations I ever had with my father was when he had been in an Assisted Living facility and wanted to tell me that it was his wish to die at home, therefore, he wanted to move back home right away. I knew that taking him away from constant medical care would result in his death occurring faster, but this was what he wanted, and I had to comply.
Elderly parents have just as many obstacles as their children trying to communicate effectively; it’s just a different set of issues. Here are some tips from Home Instead Senior Care, as to how a senior can talk to their adult children effectively:
1. Be assertive . . . . . Not aggressive
2. Seek independence, avoid dependence - Avoid spending lots of time in situations where everything is done for you.
3. Raise the issue - If the topic is a difficult one, it is often helpful to “set the stage” by prefacing a conversation with “I want to talk to you about something . . .”
4. Defend without defensiveness - Conflict and anger rarely change minds, but frank and constructive discussions can.
5. Look for points of agreement - Even if you disagree with 90 percent of what someone is saying, don’t forget to point out where you do agree.
6. Listen and put yourself in the other person’s shoes.
“Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.” ~Anthony Brandt
