As a senior caregiver, one of the biggest complaints that I receive from my senior clients and their families, is that the stress of making care decisions is resulting in family conflict and serious drama. Many of these families got along perfectly well together until they had to come together to decide the fate of their aging parent; while others have always had dramatic relationships and remained out of each other’s lives until coming together for a parent’s care. Regardless of the family relationship that existed before, when my clients ask how they can put a stop to the drama taking place every time the family discusses senior care, I recommend that they consult the services of a elder mediator. Essentially, an elder mediator is a 3rd party person who specializes in communication and senior care who can moderate family meetings to make them more productive and reduce the family conflict.

The Role of an Elder Mediator:

• Elder mediation can help families who have a different perspective to the situation being discussed

• Meeting with a third party to moderate can help prevent disputes

• The mediator is able to provide additional resources in senior care, and may invite a geriatric care manager or home care specialist to provide a different perspective and specific insight into a topic of discussion

• Helps families lay out a care plan in writing, with the input of the senior parent and the elder mediator

• Allows adult children to think through care options they might not have considered before

• Challenges family members and makes them take responsibility for their actions

• Allows aging parents to look at their positive skills and qualities rather than limitations

Sources:

1. Plan for Care
2. Mayo Clinic

Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228.

Computers when connected to the web can help seniors remain independent and out of the nursing home facilities. Using computers also help seniors’ minds remain active. It’s a great way for seniors to remain occupied and benefit their lives in many other ways. The biggest benefit is to increase  the senior’s ability to communicate with relatives and friends.

Using email is a better way for them to comprehend information especially when they have hearing problems. When a computer is connected to the Internet, it gives a senior the capability to look up needed research and information related to health, allowing them to know whether their various ailments are cause for worry, and give details that their physician did not discuss with them.

For many seniors, learning to navigate the computer and internet for the first time brings challenges. But for many, eventually prove they can learn.

Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living provides home care for elders and seniors . Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228.