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Jewish World Review
Nov. 26, 2007
/ 16 Kislev 5768
Senior needs extra attention during holidays
By
Jan L. Warner & Jan Collins
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
The busy holiday season is upon us. For most of us, this means additional stress as we try to squeeze into our schedule, time for sending cards, buying and wrapping gifts, decorating the house, and cooking holiday meals and treats. But the mail we receive at this time of year reminds us that many older folks have special needs during the holidays — and their families have extra responsibilities.
We're talking about a lot of people here. The "oldest old" (those age 85 and older) are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population. And their baby boomer children are quickly becoming seniors themselves: The oldest boomers are now 61, and about 10,000 boomers celebrate their 60th birthday every day.
We asked Mark Armstrong, CEO of the Michigan-based ComForcare Senior Services, to give us an idea of the special issues that face seniors and their families during the holidays.
"There are, of course, extra things to be done during the holidays," Armstrong told NextSteps, "but the bigger thing is that they (older folks) need to not be forgotten." Adult sons or daughters, he says, "are so busy doing their own things during the holidays that all of a sudden, they find they have less time for their own parents.
"What we like to do," he continued, "is tell the sons and daughters, 'You really need to plan ahead for the holidays' and create almost what I'd call a scheduled appointment or special time to be with their parent(s). If you don't plan it, those intentions to help them decorate or bake or go Christmas shopping might never happen."
For adult children who live out of town and are unable to help their parents at holiday time, there are many services in every state that provide such assistance. "Our caregivers can do it all," Armstrong says, "but we prefer to assist seniors with their holiday cooking, shopping and so on, because it keeps their brain stimulated." And, of course, it makes them feel useful.
Experts warn that depression is a big issue for seniors at holiday time. "Older folks know it's the holidays, and if they feel like they're being left out, they could easily get depressed," Armstrong says.
Depression affects 15 out of every 100 adults over age 65, according to the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP), and many older adults "will show signs of stress from feeling isolated and lonely in anticipation of the holidays coming to an end," says The Eldercare Locator, a government-funded directory-assistance service that provides information about senior services. (800-677-1116 or www.eldercare.gov)
Moreover, you can't just relax when the holidays are over. What the AAGP calls "post-holiday blues" is real, as many older adults feel more isolated than normal after spending time with their families and loved ones through the New Year.
One additional thought: Holiday visits provide a good opportunity for adult children to gauge the well-being and health of their elderly parents and/or family members. Aging experts suggest discreetly taking notice, during holiday visits, of whether the older person has experienced a change in health, memory, living conditions or finances. Ask the older person if he or she is having any trouble with household chores or other tasks of daily living, such as managing medications, suggests the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. In addition, ensure that the older folks have nearby relatives or friends "who can help them in an emergency. And be alert to any possible safety hazards or maintenance problems around their home."
All states have a range of home and community-based services that can assist older folks. For more information, contact your state's Department on Aging.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JAN L. WARNER received his A.B. and J.D. degrees from the University of South Carolina and earned a Master of Legal Letters (L.L.M.) in Taxation from the Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a frequent lecturer at legal education and public information programs throughout the United States. His articles have been published in national and state legal publications. Jan Collins began co-authoring Flying SoloŽ in 1989. She has more than 27 years of experience as a journalist, writer, and editor. To comment or ask a question, please click here.
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