In This Episode
My Guest
Georgiana Goodson, Community Relations Manager for Senior Helpers Lakeland joined me to discuss maintaining a sense of normalcy in a caregiving situation. Georgiana dropped a lot of great insight during our conversation. Click the player above to listen in or head over to our YouTube channel to watch the episode.
What is Normal
A Caregiver’s life is anything but normal. When we are caring for an aging loved one. It’s very easy to let the chaos of the day take over. Ultimately, we let the things that bring us pleasure and joy fall by the wayside. The same is true for those receiving care. Sometimes this happens so gradually as needs increase that we don’t even realize what has happened. What is “normal,” anyway? “Normal” looks different for everyone. Every family dynamic is unique and so are the changes families experience while caregiving.
A New Normal
We could write a book about changes a family experiences when an aging loved one needs care. We often talk about the changes a caregiver must make when taking on the task of caring for someone. But the truth is that the entire family changes in one way or another.
Amid the changes, it’s easy to forget that the person that you’re caring for has, perhaps, lost almost every bit of normal they know. Their independence, their way of doing things, their privacy, their favorite routines, and more. As they require more help, these pieces of life tend to be stripped away. Not because we don’t want to preserve them, but because it’s hard to balance it all. The key to creating a new normal for your loved ones is keeping them engaged.
Engagement is Key
Helping your loved ones to enjoy the things they have always enjoyed (with modification if necessary) will contribute to a better quality of life. Take it a step further and encourage them to find new interests and activities to keep them engaged and enriched. There is no end to the possible activities to include, but some examples include:
- Gardening
- Morning coffee on the porch
- Reading aloud together
- Listening to nostalgic music
- Window shopping and lunch
- Making arts & Crafts
You get the idea. Get creative and make your own list! The bottom line is to remember to enjoy life for as long as possible.
Links We Mentioned
- Senior Connection Center
- The Alzheimer’s Association
- Teepa Snow
- Senior Helpers
- Aging Life Care Association
- Sage Aging Podcast Episode 6: Home Care Vs Home Health Care
- Sage Aging Podcast Episode 8: Life Care Managers
If you enjoyed this episode of Sage Aging, please share the podcast with a friend. If you have topic ideas you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line at info@eldercareguide.com. Subscribe to our newsletter for more great content. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Disclaimer: The content in this blog post is meant for general informational purposes and should not be considered professional advice. While we strive for accuracy, we recommend consulting experts for specific guidance. We are not responsible for any decisions made based on this information.
Author: Liz Craven
Liz Craven, co-publisher of Sage Aging ElderCare Guide with her husband Wes, combines personal experience and heartfelt dedication in her work. Their journey in eldercare began with a personal story—caring for Wes' grandmother, Mabel, who lived with Alzheimer's. This chapter in their lives not only highlighted the complexities of eldercare but also kindled a deep-seated passion to support others facing similar challenges. Since then, Liz and Wes have navigated caregiving three more times. These experiences have added layers of depth to their insights, allowing them to offer a blend of empathetic understanding and practical advice through the Sage Aging ElderCare Guide. Liz’s commitment to making eldercare more approachable and less daunting shines through in every piece of advice she offers, aiming to ease the caregiving journey for others.
