Elder Care Information

Mom Wont Participate!


Q: Six months ago we placed my mother in an assisted living facility. She gets along fairly well, but we thought she would get involved with all of the activities. Instead she complains that she is very lonely, and won't participate. Do you have any suggestions?

A: There may be a number of reasons your mother doesn't participate in the actives offered.

You may want to step back a bit and assess your mother's situation. Ask yourself a few of these questions

1. What kind of activities has my mother always enjoyed doing?

2. Does my mother enjoy social gatherings now?

3. Does my mother enjoy a one on one visit?

4. Are there health factors present now that keeps her from enjoying group activities?

5. Before my mother needed assistance with activities of daily living was she a homebody or a social butterfly?

When determining what kind of facility your loved is best suited for those 5 questions should be asked. Often times, we as family members think that all sorts of activities would be good for our lonely senior. But, if group activities have not been a part of their lifestyle, it may be hard for them to just jump in a do the activities.

Your mom may just be a slow starter. One thing you might try is scheduling time to go in and participate in a few activities with your mom. This might help her feel more comfortable. If this is the case she will soon be attending activities on her own.

If however she still wishes to remain in her room, and still complains that she is lonely, you may wish to consider further investigation. Perhaps consulting with a neutral, long-term care advisor would be beneficial. I would suggest speaking with someone who is not interested in keeping your mom in their facility at all costs.

While these suggestions are not exhaustive, they will give you a place to begin.

Renee "Dutchy" Reeves is an Elder Care Consultant with over 10 years of working with the elderly and their families. Her online advice column, "Ask Dutchy" provides practical ideas and advice for assisting the elderly with Alzheimer's disease, Dementia, Parkinson's, disability, and those needing long term care. See other articles by her at http://www.askdutchy.mycarelink.net


MORE RESOURCES:

Holidays with Aging Parents: Elder Care Expert Has the ...
PR Web (press release), WA - 17 hours ago
Elder care expert Esther Koch provides insight into how caregivers of aging parents can bring the joy of the holiday season to the elder care experience. ...


One-stop website for all elder care needs
Financial Post, Canada - 23 hours ago
"It's a Craigslist for eldercare and providers, with a targeted focus," he said. "At some point I'll sell some banner ads and if people want some kind of ...


Trial begins for man charged in slaying of two elder care home ...
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - Nov 27, 2008
By Malaika Fraley MARTINEZ — Alfredo Pangilinan lived as a transient, often stopping by a small Pittsburg convalescent home to ask for food or money from a ...


Get help with eldercare planning
Scarlet Scuttlebutt, NJ - Nov 28, 2008
SUMMIT —SAGE’s Eldercare Planning and Guidance program provides in-home support for older adults and their caregivers through education and consultation. ...


Blessing and burden: Study on Latinos sheds light on eldercare for all
Houston Chronicle, United States - Nov 27, 2008
New research on Latino caregivers, however, highlights ways to make eldercare easier. Latinos spend more time caring for elderly parents than non-Latinos, ...


Sea change in elder care
Buffalo News,  United States - Nov 21, 2008
You will never find in the same sentence the words imagination and long-term care,” said Dr. Bill Thomas, a leading authority on elder care. ...


Words won't solve crisis in elder care
Toronto Star,  Canada - Nov 27, 2008
Just what ordinary citizens want to hear from the minister of health and long-term care – a self congratulatory letter to the editor. ...


Author's approach to elder care nonmedical, holistic
Ventura County Star, CA - Nov 24, 2008
Englander offers a nonmedical, holistic approach to elder care. For 28 years, she has taught elders and nursing staffs, serving as a consultant, elder care ...


News briefs
Old Colony Memorial and Plymouth Bulletin, MA - 1 hour ago
Other professionals who specialize in providing services to the senior community will also speak, including: Elder care attorney Peter Muncey; social worker ...


PEOPLE IN BUSINESS: Valley Memorial Homes...Haake takes over
Grand Forks Herald, ND - Nov 28, 2008
She started working at Almonte in 1963; she also worked at Tufte Manor and now is at Valley Eldercare Center. n 20 years: Darci Bohn, Shannon Holte, ...
HRRV hires human resources director In-Forum
all 2 news articles

Elder-Care - Google News

home | site map
© 2006