Having a family member move into a different stage in life that requires care can be a confusing and complicated process

Having a family member move into a different stage in life that requires care can be a confusing and complicated process.  How do you navigate the complex and overwhelming amount of information available and find out what is right for you? This can be one of the most stressful stages in the journey when care needs are changing. You are not alone!

When I experienced this with my own family I was numbed by how little I really knew, even though I was a practicing Registered Nurse at the time. Thankfully, elder care concerns are now much more important to many of us.  And it shows. The internet is full of countless websites providing free information to help you determine your course of action with realistic tips from people just like you all the way to experts on eldercare. Your head may be spinning and you may need to make a decision quickly, but first you need to know where you are!

Many people have an understandable desire to avoid this topic or try to paint a more optimistic picture about what they are experiencing based on misperceptions about the end result.  Many of us can empathize with the desire to avoid thinking about our needs until we or someone in our family is in crisis, but to help you avoid this pitfall I suggest that you begin by taking a moment to take care of yourself. As the airline flight attendant always says, “please place the oxygen mask on yourself first and then help
your…” you get the point!

Second, take a deep breath and find your sense of self-compassion and humor!
I found that these two things can go a long way in the process of deciding what is right or wrong for you and what is just plain absurd! The more objectivity you can bring to the situation the easier you will find it to enter into critical thinking instead of being pushed into the place of making simple reactive choices. Since these are major decisions that will affect the quality of your life, we want to make sure you are engaged with the process
and have the ability to choose wisely.

Now spend some time writing down what the problems are and what you would like to see happen. Keep that image! You may get bombarded by the many different labels and descriptions of different services and truth may be, you aren’t exactly clear what the difference between them is. I found it helpful to educate myself on the specialized language of elder care.

There are many options to consider as you explore community based options and/or long term care facilities. Do not be afraid of asking “stupid” questions. Remember that the only stupid question is the one you didn’t ask!

Article Provided by:
HomeWell Senior Care
253-333-1906
www.HomeWellSeniorCare.com/Federal-Way

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