Aging adults can experience a range of challenges as they move through life’s stages. Transitioning through these stages can sometimes be difficult for seniors and overwhelming for those charged with their care. Goals of family caregivers who want to provide the highest standard of care for their loved ones include understanding the emotional needs of their elderly family member.
Elderly people face significant life transitions that can impact their physical and mental well being. Often, elders don’t possess the resources or support needed to cope with these changes on their own, making it important that their caregivers and loved ones become actively engaged. The amount of care and concern that the elderly receive from caregivers and loved ones can greatly impact how they move through transitions.
Among the most common life transitions are the development of illness or disease, losing a spouse, loss of mobility, accepting care and services, moving from a home, and living on a fixed income. As they approach this later stage in life, it can become easy for the elderly to become isolated, which may jeopardize their mental and physical health.
Family members and loved ones who step in and provide support for their loved ones can greatly reduce the impact of stress these transitions can cause. The biggest challenge that family caregivers often face when involved with elder care during life transitions is that their relative often refuses their help.
The stress induced by the reality of what they are facing can cause an elderly person to react in ways inconsistent with what is logically best for them. Many seniors are resistant to the major lifestyle changes they are facing, and they can become stubborn, prideful, and even ashamed when it comes to asking for and accepting help.
Struggling with the fear of the unknown, and afraid of losing the life they have created, can cause an elderly person to be hesitant to make decisions that are necessary for their life. These challenges can be compounded when physical health is involved, which can make decision making even more difficult.
Family caregivers and loved ones who remain mindful of the enormous consequences that these life changes bring can go a long way to lessen their negative impact. Listening to their loved one and staying abreast of current situations in order to be able to readily identify and onset of problems will allow for smoother transition.
It is ultimately important to remain sensitive to the emotions and concerns of their elderly loved one, being mindful of this highly uncertain time in their lives. Many seniors and their family caregivers benefit from some type of counseling services.
Seeking guidance and reassurance from professional psychologists who are experienced in stage of life transition counseling can have a positive impact on the elderly as well as their loved ones. Transcendence Behavioral Health provides life transition emotional support services, as well as a wide range of other services for emotional health and well being.