The American people are entering a critical stage in their existence, beginning a transition of influence and responsibility from one of its most influential citizens to its descendants.
Although this is not a new process in human experience, nor is it new to any particular group of people on the planet, Americans tend to approach elder care somewhat differently than other populations and cultures on the planet. there is.
There, many groups of people have respected and respected the contributions of their elders for generations and continue to continually admire and praise their wisdom.
This is done through a combination of behavior and social habits, but what appears to be consistent across these groups of people is that older people are regularly invited and encouraged to participate in their family’s daily life. It means that it is.
In contrast, Americans are taking a different path to protecting and extending the lives of older adults, perhaps by entrusting their care to trained medical professionals rather than family members. Although not true in all cases, many families end up encouraging their loved one to move into a nursing home.
There are many obvious reasons for this, including the possibility of increased interaction with peers, a safe space, and access to regular medical care. Still, on the whole, this kind of combination of regular services requires space outside of the immediate family’s home.
In the history of human medicine, this type of care represents a new approach to geriatric patients, and like any system or environment, there are pros and cons to consider.
But no matter where or how seniors are cared for, there are some approaches that are more than just helpful. Sound care for the elderlyHowever, it is essential to ensure that the best possible care is consistently provided to every individual. Among those several important elements, perhaps the most immediately needed is patience.
The importance of being patient when caring for an elderly loved one at home or in a nursing home
With that in mind, here are some examples and reasons why it’s important to practice patience when caring for an elderly loved one at home or in a nursing home.
importance of patience
Patience is a necessary and useful virtue at any age and in any situation in life, but especially so when caring for young children and, somewhat ironically, caring for the elderly.
Learning to practice the art of patience, because many people reach a point in their lives when family members or other acquaintances begin the aging process, which is characterized by a steady decline in mental and physical functioning. is important.
Caring for the elderly effectively requires a lot of patience, which requires compassion and understanding.
mutual respect
Patience is difficult to maintain in many situations, but it becomes even more difficult when multiple uncontrollable factors occur as the aging process progresses.
With the exception of those who have experience in providing care, many people will experience care for the first time when their own family member has faced care.
Regardless of who is being cared for or who is being cared for, aging has some common factors that may require more examples and tests of patience.
Regardless of how care is delivered or who provides care, care is important not only from the point of view of effectiveness, but also from the point of view of love, respect and understanding, not only for the elderly but also for the caregiver. .
healthy boundaries
Not understanding when and how best to exercise patience increases the risk of misunderstandings that can lead to anger, resentment, accidents, and even physical or emotional abuse.
However, it must be noted that there is always a point at which both the cared for and the cared for have to realize that they have reached a limit or limit.
If that happens and the situation continues to escalate, it is best for one or both parties to remove themselves from the situation and seek help from another person. In this way, again, both parties are taken care of and risks to the marital relationship are reduced.
Memory challenges
Unfortunately, it is a common disease among older adults that can significantly reduce memory. This can take many forms, but some of the most common terms are: memory care Such diagnoses include Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. In such cases, it is common for the forgetfulness inherent in such conflicts to create situations that require patience.
Sadly, while it is usually necessary for both parties, it is often only viable for the caregiver. Emotional situations like this will definitely occur, so patience is needed more than ever.
In this way, consistently showing patience leads to greater compassion for the person in need of care, and when that added patience and compassion is rewarded, caregivers feel a sense of accomplishment and joy. I can.
About the author:
Stacy Smith is a freelance health writer. She is passionate about her writing on women’s health, dental health, diabetes, endocrinology, and nutrition, and she provides in-depth features on the latest health news for clinics and health magazines.
