The author Fay Weldon advises, \u201cLabels serve to diminish rather than define us.\u201d That admonition is well worth considering when we assist our elder relatives to live full, meaningful lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Too often when an elder faces a disability, we focus on problems and discount capabilities. Health care providers often don\u2019t help in this regard. After all, how often do you hear providers say how much elders have \u201cgot going\u201d for them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When an elder\u2019s gait slows, it is tempting to assume she or he is unable to walk distances. That assumption is frequently untrue. One daughter, planning a trip with her mother, believed her mother needed a wheelchair for the walk to the airport gate. The daughter finally agreed to give up the idea of the wheelchair, and they made the walk together, slowly, offering the mother a chance to exercise. Later, the daughter remarked that \u201ceven her mother\u2019s posture improved\u201d as she revised her expectation of her mother\u2019s ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One son, recognizing his mother\u2019s increased forgetfulness, assumed her feelings were dulled. Because she forgot her dying husband\u2019s exact diagnosis, her son assumed she was unaware of this significant loss. When the son was reminded that a memory deficit does not translate into lack of perception and sensitivity, mother and son more openly began to share their grief. He offered her the support she needed and in turn received her support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When we become too focused on a disability, we tend to globalize it. Although it is important to comprehend how a disability impacts daily living skills in order to provide for an elder\u2019s safely and well being, it is equally important to see clearly what capabilities remain and how to foster them. Mother may be unable to do laundry, but may be able to fold clothes. Dad might be unable to mow the lawn, but may be able to sweep the porch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An elder\u2019s strengths and abilities help him or her to maintain or regain a sense of health and well being. With sensitivity, creativity and some risk taking, new activities can replace activities no longer possible. Even in the face of forgetfulness or confusion, appreciating an elder\u2019s inner reserves opens us to the wisdom an elder can impart. Recognition of an elder\u2019s strengths and abilities is a gift, not only to the elder, but also to ourselves.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The author Fay Weldon advises, \u201cLabels serve to diminish rather than define us.\u201d That admonition is well worth considering when we assist our elder relatives to live full, meaningful lives. Too often when an elder faces a disability, we focus on problems and discount capabilities. Health care providers often don\u2019t help in this regard. After […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[86,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-19","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-eldercare","7":"tag-elder-relatives","8":"tag-senior-disabilities","9":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n