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Ask The Parish Nurse
Be sure to check here from time to time as the nurses in our Church family will write up health tips and answer medical questions!Are You Part Of The Sandwich Generation?
07 October 2009 / 10:32 AM
By Lynda Harrison, RN
You are if you are “sandwiched” between aging parents who need care and the needs of your own children and grandchildren. Caring for aging parents can feel very unnatural and is uncomfortable at best. Planning ahead can help you and your loved ones avoid a crisis. Here are some steps the whole family can participate in:
-Discussion with your parents: What are their wishes for help as they age? What are their fears? Do they have necessary documents? (wills, power of attorney, living will). Do they have a comprehensive list of medical, insurance and financial information available in an emergency? These discussions can be difficult but will avoid problems in the future.
-Evaluation of your parents’ abilities: If you start to see a change in their physical or mental capabilities, talk to their doctor about a geriatric assessment. This is an unbiased evaluation regarding day-to-day activities and will give everyone a true picture of what help is needed.
-Involvement of the whole family: A family meeting including siblings and grandchildren is helpful to make sure that everyone understands the needs of Mom and Dad and what their part in caring for them can be. Everyone has different talents. One may be able to provide transportation to appointments, one may spend an evening reading or talking, another may cook meals or keep finances straight. Any involvement will lighten the worry your parents may have.
-Getting support and advice: This may be the most important step. Look for support groups, adult day care, respite care and legal advice. A referral service called Eldercare Locator can direct you to services in your area. They can be reached at (800) 677-1116. Don’t forget to call on your church family for prayer, meals and respite help.
"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." - Exodus 20:12
"Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." - 3 John 1:2
If you need to contact the Parish Nurses, they are Lynda Harrison or Monique Mihlebach
You are if you are “sandwiched” between aging parents who need care and the needs of your own children and grandchildren. Caring for aging parents can feel very unnatural and is uncomfortable at best. Planning ahead can help you and your loved ones avoid a crisis. Here are some steps the whole family can participate in:
-Discussion with your parents: What are their wishes for help as they age? What are their fears? Do they have necessary documents? (wills, power of attorney, living will). Do they have a comprehensive list of medical, insurance and financial information available in an emergency? These discussions can be difficult but will avoid problems in the future.
-Evaluation of your parents’ abilities: If you start to see a change in their physical or mental capabilities, talk to their doctor about a geriatric assessment. This is an unbiased evaluation regarding day-to-day activities and will give everyone a true picture of what help is needed.
-Involvement of the whole family: A family meeting including siblings and grandchildren is helpful to make sure that everyone understands the needs of Mom and Dad and what their part in caring for them can be. Everyone has different talents. One may be able to provide transportation to appointments, one may spend an evening reading or talking, another may cook meals or keep finances straight. Any involvement will lighten the worry your parents may have.
-Getting support and advice: This may be the most important step. Look for support groups, adult day care, respite care and legal advice. A referral service called Eldercare Locator can direct you to services in your area. They can be reached at (800) 677-1116. Don’t forget to call on your church family for prayer, meals and respite help.
"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." - Exodus 20:12
"Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." - 3 John 1:2
If you need to contact the Parish Nurses, they are Lynda Harrison or Monique Mihlebach