Posts

Finding Meaning and Purpose Later in Life

/in , , , , , /by
senior care in Hollywood FL

As we age, life changes, but the need for purpose does not. Learn how to help seniors find new meaning for everyday life.

Think of an ordinary day in the life of a senior loved one. Ideally it provides a number of positive and enriching experiences: savoring breakfast, participating in a satisfying activity or interest, visiting with a good friend or member of the family, watching a favorite TV show. Nonetheless, there’s a distinction between positivity and purpose; and the value of a life rich with significance is now more widely known, particularly in the life of aging parents.

Viktor Frankl, world-renowned psychiatrist and survivor of the Holocaust, explains poignantly, “What matters is not the meaning in life in general, but rather the specific meaning of a person’s life at a given moment.”

For individuals whose identity has been devoted to a profession and raising a family, and who now are in a season of retirement and fulfilled family responsibilities, it can be hard finding meaning and purpose later in life. At Responsive Home Care, we make it a priority to help seniors determine their interests and channel them into meaningful activities, such as:

  • Volunteering. For a senior who loves kids, tutoring, reading to, or mentoring students at an area school is a great option. Other individuals may care greatly about assisting veterans, and assemble care packages of personal care products and snack food items to send overseas. Or for animal lovers, bringing treats, blankets, and an affectionate heart to a pet shelter could be very fulfilling.
  • Learning. It is true: you are never too old to master something new. Go to a nearby community college, library, or senior center to find classes or online programs that might appeal to your senior loved one.
  • Helping at home. Well-meaning family caregivers often take over household chores to free their senior loved ones from the tasks they’ve taken care of during their lifetime. Unfortunately, this can have the negative effect of leaving older adults feeling as though they are no longer useful. Engage the senior in work and responsibilities throughout the home which are typically within his / her expertise and interest, such as assisting with organizing meals, folding laundry, sorting nuts and bolts in a toolbox, etc.
  • Documenting family history. Supplying the next generation with the rich genealogy and family history and stories experienced firsthand is a treasure that only older adults can offer. Help your senior loved one document his / her lifetime legacy in a scrapbook, writing, or video recording, and then share with friends and family.

And, call on Responsive Home Care when it comes to tailored in-home assistance that helps older adults discover satisfaction and purpose, while continuing to be safe and comfortable in the familiarity of home. We’re able to offer transportation to engaging and meaningful activities, help plan and implement ideas to accomplish right in the home, or simply just look after some of the everyday tasks in the residence, including cleaning and cooking, allowing family members to savor high quality time with one another. You can contact us any time at 954-486-6440 to learn more about our elder care in Hollywood, FL and the surrounding areas.

5 Questions to Ask a Potential Elder Care Provider

/in /by

Elder Care Lauderhill FL

Choosing an elder care provider for your aging parent can be one of the most important things that you do for them. When you are going through this process, you want to make sure that you have selected the care provider who will be best for your aging parent both in terms of the care that they give, and their compatibility with your loved one. As you are having conversations with them, consider asking these questions. When they answer, do not just pay attention to what they are saying. Instead, listen to the words that they choose, how they say them, and their personality and attitude as they are talking. This can show you the real person behind the answers and help you to better determine which potential care provider is the one who will give your parent the quality of care that they deserve.

• Why did you decide to go into the elder care industry?  Everyone has a reason for taking the career path that they choose, and when it comes to an elderly home care services provider who may care for your aging loved one, you want to know why they chose to do what they do. There are many different reasons that people choose this path, so listen to their story and determine if their motivations go along with what you hope for for your aging parent.

• How much experience do you have?  This is an expected question any time a person is starting a new job or position, but do not limit it just to how long they have worked for the particular company or how long they have been a professional care provider. Instead, let them tell you about real life applications of the skills and emotional considerations of being a care provider and use this to determine their true applicable experience.

• What do you consider the most challenging aspect of being a care provider? No matter how much someone enjoys their job, there are always challenges and difficulties to every position. Having the care provider tell you what they consider the most difficult for them can give you great insight into their personality and their care approach.

• What do you consider the most rewarding aspect of being a care provider? Another great opportunity for you to gauge this care provider’s personality is asking them what they really enjoy about being a care provider. This can help you to really see what type of person this care provider is, their attitude, and the type of care that they provide to their elderly clients.

• What else do you think I should know? While this seems like a simple and straightforward question, it can actually be one of the most challenging for this person to answer. This gives them the chance to tell you about themselves as an individual rather than just as a professional care provider. Take what they say and evaluate how these details might impact your parent’s care. For example, if this care provider has several children you might consider if that could impact their availability.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home health care services in Fort Lauderdale, FL or the surrounding areas to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Health. Contact us today at 954-486-6440.