Elder Care Paralysis

by Gerry
(Florida)

That pretty much says it all for the first couple of years. The aging parents realized they could not maintain the family house and that their ability to fully care for themselves was diminishing each month. The family began talking, but questions and suggestions from the adult "children" were met with resistance or hostility.

The framework of a nursing care plan for specific challenges really helped our parents concentrate on one little battle at a time instead of the overwhelming task of reorganizing their entire life.

The other benefit is that the parents can look at the plan and decide themselves to follow its outlines. Being supported by the professional nursing community lends credibility as well. Decision-making ownership leads to commitment. And when you begin making the little changes the bigger ones began to be less threatening.