Caregivers See the Positive Side of Elderly Care
Rewards and Benefits of Caring for an Aging Parent in the Home
Oct 31, 2009
There is a positive side to caring for an elderly family member in the home. It's easy for coworkers and friends to feel sorry for the person that's been cast into the role of caregiver for an aging parent. Outsiders don't think about the benefits and don't often see the rewards of having Grandma or Grandpa living with the family. The family member caring for an aging loved one or the adult child taking on the responsibility for a parent with Alzheimer's disease can create a few more good memories to share with grandchildren in later years.
Benefits of Caring for an Elderly Person at Home
The adult son or daughter who makes the decision to care for an aging loved one at home takes on a job that may last for years. The job can be overwhelming at times, but there are rewards for the caregiver and the family, too. Some of the major benefits of having a grandparent living in the home:
- Grandchildren may get a lot more attention of Grandma or Grandpa.
- Adult children and grandchildren can learn details of family tree members by listening to an elderly family member's stories.
- Younger family members of all ages can hear first-hand accounts of U.S. and world historical events, such as Woodstock, and man's first landing on the moon.
- Adult children gain a deeper understanding and closer relationship with the elderly parent.
- The adult caregiver gains valuable experience in how to plan ahead for retirement and long-term care during their senior years.
- Children learn how to show compassion and learn respect for older people.
Create Lasting Memories of an Aging Parent Diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease, memory loss and dementia can rob an entire family when a loved one can't recall good times shared together or even the names of grandchildren and other family members. Knowing the condition is going to get worse makes it hard on everyone. What can caregivers and families do to create lasting memories when a loved one begins to experience memory loss or has been diagnosed Alzheimer's disease?
- Alzheimer's disease is a gradual condition. Adult children and grandchildren are encouraged to record in a journal the good times that the elderly family member does remember.
- Take photos of family outings with the elderly person. Be sure to get a lot of candid shots.
- Parents can videotape a grandparent's interaction with a child, such as the elderly person reading a story.
- Families can create a book with the photos and written information. What a fabulous idea for passing information to future generations.
What good does it do to take photos for scrapbooks and photo albums, and make family videos that include an aging parent or family member with Alzheimer's disease? The pictures and video will serve as a reminder of good times and can ease the pain of bad days later on. As grandchildren grow older, they will appreciate their place in the family history with Grandma and Grandpa. The recorded information can be passed along to future generations that will also be curious about the family history.
Children learn valuable lessons in compassion and understanding when there is an elderly person living in the home.
Adult children and grandchildren know there are rewards and benefits from having Grandma or Grandpa living with them. Older people tend to remember things clearly from long ago, even though they cannot remember short-term events. Keeping a journal of the family history and listening to stories of historical events keep the elderly person's memory alive for generations to come.
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