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.

6 Tips for Caregivers Who Are at the End of Their Rope

/in /by

Elder Care Pompano Beach FL

Elder Care Pompano Beach FL

Caregiving is one of the most stressful things that you can do, but it’s also one of the most rewarding. If you allow yourself to become burned out, you won’t be the caregiver that your elderly loved one needs. Here are some strategies you can use to avoid that.

Share the Burden
Many times caregivers worry that if they ask for outside help, that means they’re not a good caregiver or they don’t care about their elderly loved one. The truth is that neither of those are facts if you get outside help. Talk to friends and family members about helping out or hire elder care providers who can offer assistance. Don’t shoulder the burden all by yourself.

Talk to Someone
Family caregivers tend to bottle up their emotions because they’re afraid that once they open up, they won’t stop crying, or yelling, or expressing their emotions in some other way. Being able to vent those emotions periodically is really important though, and everyone needs someone they can talk to. Try a friend or relative or even a therapist if that’s more comfortable, but talk to someone.

Accept That You Have Limits and Pace Yourself
As a family caregiver, you do have your limits. You don’t know how long you’ll be caring for your elderly loved one, so it’s essential that you learn to pace yourself so that you don’t reach those limits today or even tomorrow. Balance yourself out so that you have something left to give.

Foster Independent Relationships
It’s tough to maintain friendships and other relationships when you’re busy caring for your elderly loved one. You absolutely have to make time for those connections, however. Do what you can to maintain those relationships, even if it’s just phone calls and text messages for a little while.

Maintain Your Sense of Humor
You really can find humor in any situation, but you have to allow yourself to see the funny side of it. We all need to laugh. It’s healing and it helps you to feel good even when everything else doesn’t feel so great. Learn to laugh at the hard stuff so that it doesn’t break you.

Use Anger as Fuel
As a family caregiver, you’re going to feel anger. You might be angry at your loved one’s illness, you might be angry at your loved one. Those situations happen. Turn that anger around and use it as fuel to keep you going. Maybe it helps you to keep exercising even when you don’t want to or maybe it helps fuel the fire that has you looking for medical answers. Regardless, anger can be a strong fuel if you don’t let it burn you down.

Caregiving is tough work, but it doesn’t have to beat you up.

If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home Elder Care Services in Pompano Beach FL to provide companionship, compassion and motivation, please contact the caring staff at Responsive Home Care. Call today 954-486-6440.