It Takes A Village

Growing old is inevitable, and whilst it can bring with it the advantages of wisdom and experience, changes to our body and mind can be frustrating and difficult to accept. From being worried about becoming forgetful and confused to becoming vulnerable and dependent on others, old age presents us with a series of challenges that must be acknowledged and worked through.

The first hurdle for many families though, can be getting their loved one to accept that they are in need of support. Initially, many older people are in denial and go out of their way to prove that they are still just as capable of looking after themselves now as they always were, sometimes with disastrous consequences.

Indeed, many elderly people are reluctant to admit that they need help with day to day chores such as preparing meals, housekeeping and personal care, as they think that by accepting help they are saying that they are no longer able to cope in their own home. They fear that it may be the first step to not being able to stay at home, but in fact it can actually mean that they are able to stay at home for longer.

With a little patience and understanding, families can support their older relatives to realise that accepting help does not mean that they are a failure and that feeling frustrated is completely normal. Help can come in many forms, from regular family visits to paid for live-in-care, from the friendly neighbour popping by to carers helping with meal preparation and companionship.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, but the same can also be said of looking after our older generation. From family and friends to outside care agencies, we all have a role to play in ensuring that, with a little support, our older generation can continue to live a full, independent life at home.