Taking Care of the Elderly With Love and Understanding
Taking Care of the Elderly With Love and Understanding
After three years of being downsized and struggling to earn a living on my own, my mother of 86 years old experienced weakening of the body and lost her independence due to her very painful knees and joints. I have to compromise my limited to time to earn with my desire to love and serve my mother.
Since it will not be easy on me, emotionally and mentally, to see my Mother grow weaker by the day, I decided to commit myself to take care of her with love and understanding.
For around many months of taking care of her, I wish to share the values and wisdom I learned which have been giving my mother the strength and happiness to go on with life.
1. Accept your elderly parents for what they are now and do not get annoyed with their increasing dependence on you.
My mother is no longer the independent person I know. I have to wake up so many times at wee hours in the morning to assist her in getting up to go to the comfort room. I have to stay awake late at night to join her in viewing her favorite midnight T.V. shows. I have to supervise her medication for she has short memory. All of these I have to do with the thought that my mother has changed and I have to accept it with love and understanding.
2. Keep things simple and consider the limitations of your elderly parents.
I feel happy when my mother reads the newspapers daily. She might not be in a position to discuss technical and complicated news articles but it is a delight for me that she can still understand what she is reading. She likes pizza for snacks and I consistently give it to her every time she makes a request.
3. Always assure your elderly parents of your love, acceptance and understanding.
Because of her physical dependence in walking, my mother developed special needs. She continuously has to feel secure that I am not annoyed with her dependence and weakening body. I have to kiss her and say “I love you” more often so she will feel loved and accepted despite her physical conditions.
4. It is human to sometimes, get angry — just do not forget to make amends or apologize.
Since my mother has developed memory lapses, she sometimes do not want to take her medicines which leads to arguments and me, being angry. When rising tempers have subsided, I am quick to make amends and apologize for my quick temper and give her my side of the story. She usually accept my apologies with a happy and loving heart.
5. Make the most out of your time with your elderly parents.
Because of the pain in her knees and joints, my Mother most of the time spends her time sleeping. This gives us only a limited time to share activities together. I make it a point that these times we have together to be happy ones.
I hope the foregoing gives you the right attitude and values in taking care of our elderly loved ones.
Have a nice day!
Angelina B. Espiritu is a former banker and is now a licensed real estate broker working on a free lance basis. After availing of an early retirement with a universal bank, she embarked on a self help program on reinventing and creation of a new life after her 28 year corporate stint. Parallel to her life as a professional real estate sales person, she finds happiness and fulfillment in taking care of her 86 year old mother whom she considers as the best person in her life. She is a marketing graduate of the University of the Philippines and an M.B.A. graduate of De La Salle University. She can be reached via her mobile +639209126709. You may also visit her blog about her mother: http://wwwthankyounotetogod.blogspot.com/. For exciting real estate choices in prime areas in the Philippines, you may visit her website: http://www.filbenrealty.com/
Article Source: Angelina Espiritu http://EzineArticles.com
