‘Senior care”, “Physically Impaired”, “Deteriorating Mental Condition”, “Vascular Dementia”, “Baby Boomers”, “Sandwich generation” – odd medical terminology mixed with hot topics of our media, are suddenly becoming your reality. The day you recognized distant medical diagnosis as your parents’ illness; the day you found yourself in funny sounding category of the population, has marked the beginning of new era: The time has come to take care of the people who brought you into this world. I come across as using big flashy words. However, the moment is big. Your status has metamorphosed. You have become a care giver. That’s an occupation you know n0thing about. You have no previous experience; no resume is needed. Yet, take my word for it – that is the job of a lifetime. All your inner capabilities are about to be put through the following tests: your courage, your patience,your spirit, your judgment, and even your sense of humor.
My experience in senior care has started as the personal one. That is not an atypical situation. I can’t say that my mother’s Alzheimer changed the field of my occupation. Yet my personal story certainly affects my professional life. The approach to senior care care was quite different in those days. There were fewer options. Geriatric care managers didn’t appear quiet yet. There was no wide range of home care agencies. Essentially, there was virtually no one you could turn to for advice. Alzheimer disease itself wasn’t as well known as it is today. Consequently, when I realized that my mom could no longer live alone , a nursing home began to sound as a suitable outcome. I’ll never forget my desperate search for a decent one I could afford. Did I have doubts regarding the move ? Certainly. That’s precisely what I had referred to at the beginning of this article . The judgment was poor, the courage was lacking. “It would be so good to have nice person in the house with Mom…” That thought kept reappearing in my mind. But there was no support and I backed off.
Don’ get me wrong, I’m not trying to say that the care was poor . What I wanted, was for it to be personal. In fact what had become clear was that the the only crucial things that nursing homes didn’t seem to provide were: A personal touch and continuity. It wasn’t deliberate. It just wasn’t in “their love map”. Nursing home were clearly geared as homes for the masses.What I wanted was a true home for an individual. “There is no place like home”., concept firmly planted its roots in my head. The concept seemed to be especially true when any part of the body or mind declines.
Ladies and gentlemen, fellow caregivers, presence of spirit and patience might come in handy. Finding the right caregiver is no easy job. Yet, to me this was the only path to take. Succeeding in home care, making it personal led to amazing rewards : Optimal care for your parent and, and crucial peace of mind for yourself.
It’s no secret that I’m passionate supporter of home care. At times the passion carries me away. Consequently, I have neglected to mention the difference in cost. That difference is tremendous. However, even if you are so well off that you can spread money like confetti, choose the home care road. The care of your loved ones are will be hand crafted to satisfy their needs as well as your wishes. In return, you will receive the reward of satisfaction and true joy.
Good luck!
Popularity: 60%
