30 Aug What Are Life Changes?
Life changes aren’t something that only seniors experience. From going to kindergarten, heading off to college, getting married, and having kids, these kinds of important changes happen throughout our lives.
Many of these changes are positive ones. That is, until you reach your golden years, and suddenly changes include needing more help to do things that you have been doing your entire adult life.
What exactly do changes look like in our golden years, and how can we best support a loved one who is going through these changes?
Major changes in late adulthood
Late adulthood is often marked by retirement. Although you may spend your younger years dreaming of a retirement lifestyle, when the time comes, many people feel dejected. It can be difficult to go from feeling like you’re needed at work every day to not feeling like you make a difference at all.
Other changes in late adulthood that might occur include:
- Death of loved ones, like parents and siblings
- Changes in appearance
- Changes in health
- Dealing with a fixed income after retirement
All of these changes can be difficult to manage, but it can be even more difficult if you suddenly find yourself needing help with everyday activities. Changes in the ability to take care of yourself, your home, or your health could require help from a care aide or an assisted living community, which most seniors are hesitant to accept.
Helping a loved one manage changes in late adulthood
The human response to change often includes stress, especially for people who feel more comfortable in a routine. For most seniors, living in their own home and giving up responsibility for tasks they have spent decades doing themselves is not easy to give up.
If you’re helping a loved one through these life changes, it’s important to remember that it can cause them a lot of stress. Look for ways to make it easier, like transitioning from receiving no assistance to receiving care from a home health aide instead of sending them to an assisted living facility.
At Life & Health Care, we put the needs of our patients first. We will work with your loved one within their routine to develop care tasks that make them feel more comfortable receiving help. Contact us today to learn more about how we can customize our services to meet your loved one’s needs.