When you first started working with your elderly mom or dad in helping them settle into their retired lifestyle, you exposed yourself to all kinds of services that can help take care of senior citizens.  If you feel your parent could use to be with people during the day but you are not able to be free to provide that support because of your job, the idea of an adult day care is often suggested as a solution to the problem.

Of course the phrase “adult day care” can be upsetting because it only goes to reinforce the image of your adult parent becoming an infant and having to be treated as such.
So when you suggest that you work together to find a place they can spend time at during the day, don’t refer to it as an “adult day care” if you can.  Immediately the senior citizen will feel that you are just “putting him away” somewhere so he won’t be a nuisance to you.  And you don’t want him to get that idea.
Continue Reading »
A Place to Go

Sometimes the value of alcohol in the life of a senior citizen can be a source of controversy.  If you have enjoyed a moderate use of alcohol throughout your adult life, it can be pretty insulting when someone takes that away from you as though you were a teenager without the ability to handle adult life in a responsible way.  But to look at the issue of alcohol use in senior citizens from the perspective of your children or caregivers, there are ways that alcohol could be a medical problem during this time of life when health issues seem to become more central to your daily life.

However, medical science tells us that one glass of red wine taken before bed can be the best medicine there is.  This is not new information even though the medical world would like us to think this was a big breakthrough.   As far back as the bible, there is advice that says we should have a little wine for the stomach and other ailments.  Maybe the modern world is just catching up with the wisdom of ancient worlds and the outcome will be a healthier and happier senior years for you.
Continue Reading »
A Little Wine for Your Stomach’s Sake