Three Ways People Miss Important Cues when a Loved One Requires Elder Care

By Jamie Shapiro | March 5, 2015 | Comments Off on Three Ways People Miss Important Cues when a Loved One Requires Elder Care

Elder Care in Buffalo Grove IL

There are over 65.7 million family members taking care of loved ones, either elderly or disabled, throughout the United States, according to Caregiving.org. Many of these people take on this role out of a sense of duty or responsibility, even though they may have numerous other obligations they have to meet.  When somebody requires elder care, there is often a wide range of needs. Therefore, sometimes it’s better to hire a professional home care provider.

Even though family members feel as though they are doing their loved one a great service by stopping by, helping to cook dinner, doing laundry, and assisting with a variety of other general household duties, there could be a tremendous amount of things that they’re missing.   For example, if the family caregiver is busy and not paying attention to what their elderly loved one has to say or is trying to say, they may miss a great deal of information.

Here are three ways that many family members actually missed out on valuable clues that could help them offer even better care.

1. Trying to get so much done.

Sometimes, trying to get several things done throughout the day can lead to a lack of attention.  For example, if their elderly family member is trying to tell them about an interest they have or about something they might want or need, the caregiver might be unable to listen.   It’s likely that he or she is focused on tending to household tasks and perhaps only has a short amount of time to complete them.

2. Assuming they know what’s best.

Sometimes family members can be so concerned about their elderly loved one that they assume safety and security is the most important thing for them. Yes, it is important, but it’s also essential to encourage the elderly individual to live life to the fullest. The only way to truly help with that is to take time to figure out what their interests are and how to help them meet those needs.

3. A wandering mind.

When people have a great deal of stress and anxiety pressing down on them, they will tend to be overwhelmed with thoughts that are beyond what they’re working on right now. If that happens when they’re over at their elderly loved one’s home, they could leave and have completely missed many of the things that were told to them.

If you’re a family caregiver worrying about a loved one, stop, pay attention, and listen. March is International Listening Awareness Month and when you pay attention, you provide even better care for your elderly loved one.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care services in Buffalo Grove, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

Jamie Shapiro
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