Savvy Solutions for Seniors
Helpful tips for family caregivers

The healing power of a life review

In the years beyond child rearing and work, it’s easy for a person to lose a sense of identity, especially when confronted with a serious illness. If your loved one is looking aimless or “down,” consider helping him or her with a life review.

A life review is just as it sounds: an opportunity to tell one’s history—to celebrate accomplishments and milestones while reflecting on past difficulties or even unresolved relationships. A life review may prompt new feelings of self-acceptance or motivate resolution and the healing of long-standing hurts. During the review process, many people find new satisfaction and meaning.

You can initiate a life review:

• Ask questions that get thoughts and memories rolling—you can take notes as your loved one reminisces out loud. Or, offer a journal or provide a tape recorder.
• Listen carefully and without judgment. Let your loved one come to his or her own conclusions about life. This is not a time to work through past conflicts.
• Accept the inconsistencies—accuracy is not the goal and not everything is remembered equally.

Some good questions to ask:

• What was it like when you were a child?
• What are your favorite memories as a teenager? As a young adult? In middle age?
• What are you most proud of in your life?
• If you could do it over again, what would you do differently?

A life review is a great project to do together and a chance to become closer. It is also an excellent opportunity to engage in personal growth and positive insight at a time when physical abilities may be extremely limited.

Keeping seniors safe from burns

Do you think of burns and fires as happening to “someone else”? Consider: If the person you are caring for is age 65 or older, he or she is at high risk for scald burns and two to four times more likely than others to die in a home fire. That’s alarming!

February is the month of National Burn Awareness Week, a good reminder to review precautions that can protect your loved one from harm.

Many factors contribute to an elder’s extraordinarily high susceptibility to fire and burn injuries:

• Diminished sense of hearing, sight, and smell—can’t hear a smoke detector, see a spark, or smell a gas leak
• Slowed or limited ability to move around—can’t exit quickly when in danger, can’t maneuver easily in the kitchen
• Fragile skin that is more vulnerable to heat
• Blunted awareness—a result of medication, drowsiness, or a medical condition

Elders are mostly injured at home, typically when cooking or bathing. Here are some safety tips for preventing burns:

Kitchen:

• Stay in the kitchen when cooking; it’s too easy to forget and leave a burner on if you leave the room.
• Avoid loose, long sleeves when cooking. Instead, wear snug sleeves or short-sleeved or sleeveless tops.
• Use mitts when lifting hot pans or casseroles.
• Check appliances for frayed electrical cords.
• Turn off appliances if a fire starts.

Bedroom and bathroom:

• Use a timer with an electric heating pad.
• Do not fold or cover an electric blanket.
• Do not smoke in bed.

Miscellaneous:

• Turn the water heater to 120–130 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Do not store objects near heaters.
• Check the smoke detector regularly.
• If your loved one is hard of hearing, install a smoke detector that also flashes light.

The Burn Institute and burnsurgery.org offer additional tips on fire and burn injury prevention for elders.

Caring for your marriage, also

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, it’s a good time to consider strategies to prevent your partner from getting overlooked because of your caregiving.

Caring for an aging relative definitely affects your ability to nurture your significant other.

A poll at caregiving.com revealed that 81% of family caregivers say caregiving tested their marriage in ways they never imagined.

In that light, we draw upon suggestions of family caregivers and the research of noted couples counselor Dr. John Gottman to suggest ways to maintain the health of your marriage as you care for the health of your aging loved one.

Communication

• Review family values and goals. Establish a sense of shared purpose. How does eldercare fit with your values? Having a shared vision makes it easier to accept inconveniences.
• Discuss fears, concerns, and expectations. You and your partner may have strong memories and assumptions based on watching your parents care for—or not care for—your grandparents.
• Show interest when your partner shows signs of stress. Demonstrate that his or her emotional and physical needs are also a priority.
• Stay positive. Even when there are problems between you, notice and point out the good things.

Time together

• Set aside time for your partner. Whether it’s a walk, a movie, a weekend away, make sure to have fun together. Consider date nights, just the two of you.
• Make it quality time. Pay attention to your partner. Be “present” for your moments together. No talking about your caregiving!
• Avoid discussion of marital problems. Separate your problem-solving time from time together spent nurturing your relationship.

This Valentine’s Day consider starting a tradition of getting together weekly, just the two of you, for some light fun. Help yourselves remember why you became a couple in the first place.