We've discussed the Baby Boomer generation frequently on this blog, since this segment of the population is at the forefront of a demographic shift to an older America. But, even as Baby Boomers are approaching retirement age themselves, a quarter of this population still has a living parent, the vast majority of whom require substantial long-term care. Given the pressure that both of these generations will eventually place on the U.S. health and eldercare systems, it is clear that preventative measures must be taken to support older adults and help keep physical and mental decline at bay if possible.
With this in mind, The Huffington Post Canada recently published a piece calling for adult children to have an earnest discussion with their older loved ones about potential avenues of care.
"If you wait for that first fall or stroke, you will end up having a panic conversation and that's when you make panic decisions," said Bart Mindszenthy, co-author of "Parenting Your Parents: Straight Talk About Aging in the Family" with Dr. Michael Gordon.
Mindszenthy explained that a failure to identify potential signs of decline isn't the fault of adult children or their parents, as often the people who may need help are either unaware of their diminished faculties, or unwilling to admit to them.
"Whether it is trying to get to them to stop driving, or talking about a power of attorney […] You want to try to empower them to make the decisions and to outline their wishes," Mindszenthy explained.
Adult children may also have concerns about parents who have not yet shown signs of physical or mental impairments, particularly if it is not in their power to check up on their loved ones regularly. In these cases, family members often fear that their parents' conditions will potentially start to deteriorate and that no one will be there to identify or address the change.
Today, the vast majority of older adults prefer aging in place, so finding ways to facilitate independent living can be a boon for the overall quality of life these individuals enjoy. With Independa's comprehensive suite of telecare solutions, care managers can appeal to older adults and their families by bridging the gap in care without intruding on the independence care recipients enjoy. Introducing this mode of at-home eldercare at an early stage can help maintain a consistent level of care for older adults, thereby contributing to their long-term quality of life.
Contact us today through our online form to learn more about our Caregiver Web Application and Angela interface.
