Imagine this.
In this scenario, we have a working woman – we will name her Amy – who lives in Seattle. She calls her mom and dad (Lucy and Bill), who live in Florida, regularly to check up on them, and the conversation usually goes like this:
Daughter: Hey, Mom, how are you and Dad doing?
Lucy: Oh, we’re doing just fine, honey, how are you?
Daughter: I’m really good Mom, I just worry about you and Dad being so far away. Are you feeling all right?
Lucy: Oh, Amy, stop that! Your father and I are just fine and I want you to stop worrying.
Amy: Mom, are you sure you’re ok?
Lucy: I’m more than sure. As a matter of fact, I went to the bridge club meeting this morning with Cheryl and we had a great time. Your father is out back with Bob watching the neighbors jump ski on the lake. We’re having a great time now leave us alone and go be young and happy! Thanks for calling!
Amy: Thanks, Mom. I love you. Tell Dad I said hi and that I love him.
Lucy: We love you too, honey. Bye!
Does that conversation sound familiar? Perhaps you have had it with your children or maybe you are someone whose parents give them the same spiel every now and then. The truth in this particular situation is that Lucy fell getting out of bed last week, has been moving a lot slower than normal and spends her days trying to ignore the mounting pain. On the other hand, Bill has been having dizzy spells as well as short periods of confusion and lapses in memory.
The unfortunate reality is that Amy won’t ever know what’s going on unless her parents tell her, which isn’t likely because they will feel guilty for making their daughter worry about them more than she already does. Lucy and Bill represent parents and grandparents around the world who selflessly, and selfishly (views vary depending on who you talk to), choose to keep their children in the dark about their health and well-being.
A fortunate reality for the same situation is that there is a viable solution that can please all parties involved – Mom, Dad, children, grandchildren and other family members. A reliable, well-trained, licensed caregiver can make all the difference in a retiree’s life. A caregiver can provide personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming), transportation (doctor’s appointments, lab testing, social visits), companionship (emotional support, transitional care, conversation), physical support (walking assistance, fall prevention, etc.) and light housekeeping, including pet care.
After conducting extensive research and asking all of the questions relevant to your particular situation, finding the right home care company and caregiver for your loved one will prove to be the right choice in many cases. In finding a quality caregiver, Mom and Dad will be allowed to remain in the comfort of their home, family members can sleep peacefully at night because they know they have reliable help, and any changes in your loved one’s condition will be reported to you in a timely manner so that decisions can be made as a family.
To find a list of local home care companies, ask your primary care physician, elder care attorney, or conduct a good old-fashioned phone book sweep. You are sure to find a company that suits your needs.
By: Mhisha Compere, Community Care Coordinator for Assisting Hands Home Care of Pasco County. Mhisha can be reached by phone at (813)507-8652 or by email at [email protected].
