| Is your elderly loved one in desperate need of care? | | | | they are living now, or a place that is near family. If |
| Are you concerned for them living in their own | | | | there are no openings, get their name on a waiting |
| home? Are you worried about their safety? Running | | | | list. Do not wait for their approval to do this, you |
| a home takes time, money and much decision | | | | may be wasting precious time if you do. This may |
| making. As we age, our priorities change along with | | | | seem like a sneaky way to do things but realize that |
| what we are now able to do and not do. Often | | | | you, not your loved one, understands the severity of |
| times our house, and our personal safety, begins to | | | | the problems they are having. Look for a place that |
| crumble around us and we don't even see it. | | | | not only has good care, but is clean. Make |
| Many times our aged loved ones deteriorating health | | | | appointments and tour several facilities. Go early and |
| goes unnoticed until something catastrophic happens. | | | | seek out residents you can talk to about their |
| Commonly this is a fall, or perhaps the stove was left | | | | experience living in that particular place. Inquire as to |
| on. Sometimes the furnace is not working and our | | | | care, meals, occupational therapy, and housekeeping. |
| loved one doesn't seem to understand why they are | | | | Keep in mind that most residents may feel they too |
| cold, and do not notify us. When the problem | | | | do not need the care that is offered there. |
| becomes evident, we need to consider an alternate | | | | Approach your loved one with kindness and |
| living situation. Perhaps seeing this coming, is what | | | | understanding. Changes are not easy for the elderly |
| prevents people from telling those that can help | | | | to accept. Take time to tell them what you have |
| them. | | | | learned, but don't give them so many details that |
| Our elderly loved ones are very independent. They | | | | they can't take it all in. Let them know your |
| have survived some of the worst times in history | | | | intentions are to have them live in a place where |
| and are certain they can continue to do so. It is | | | | they receive meals, social activities as well as help |
| never easy to convince them that after all these | | | | with bathing and medications. Remind them that you |
| years of struggling, there is now a simpler way to | | | | will come to see them, and make a commitment, |
| live. The unfortunate part is not that they need help, | | | | what ever time you can afford, and then make sure |
| but that they have waited to long to make this shift | | | | you do it. Do not speak for other people regarding |
| and most will resent the move at this stage. | | | | visiting, you only know what you are willing to do. |
| Centurions will tell you, that the reason they have | | | | Assure them that you will be in touch with the place |
| lived so long, is their ability to accept change in their | | | | they choose, and should there be a problem, you will |
| lives and in the world. | | | | handle it on their behalf. Find time to be with them |
| Do your homework. Find a facility that is near where | | | | and the transition will be smoother. |