Marjorie P. Lee Senior Living Blog

We know that digital technology is revolutionizing elder care. Today, it’s easier than ever for adult children to stay in touch with their senior loved ones and keep abreast of changes in their health.

Here at Marjorie Pl. Lee Retirement Community, we get asked all the time which mobile apps are the most helpful for families whose senior members are aging in place. Which programs will give you and your older parent peace of mind?

Depression is one of the hardest things to witness in our aging parents, but unfortunately, it’s more common than you might realize among seniors. Mental Health America reports that depression is often “under-recognized and under-treated” in older adults. Seniors themselves are often reticent to admit to depression for several reasons:

• They fear becoming a burden to their families.
• Their generation grew up in a time in which mental illness was stigmatized.
• Talking about feelings and asking for help just isn’t part of their personality.
• They don’t believe depression is a real illness and blame themselves for being weak.

A study from the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that 27 percent of the seniors assessed met the criteria for a diagnosis of major depression, and even more had symptoms that significantly impacted their lives.

Strokes are not uncommon among the elderly. If one of your aging parents has had one, you may be wondering if it is safe for them to return home after the hospital or rehab center discharges them. Usually, your parent's doctor and/or rehab specialist will let you know upon discharge whether there needs to be someone at home with your parent at all times or not, and what, if any, aides and ongoing therapy they may need. But if you’re not 100% certain what needs to be done, make sure to ask questions — before bringing your parent back to their home. You want to feel comfortable leaving them there. The urge to have them come live with you may be strong, but this may not be the best solutions, especially as your parent may wish to retain their independence. Getting your questions answered will make you feel better about your parent's situation.

It happens to many of us: we watch a dear friend provide full-time care for aging parents, and we marvel at her patience and kindness. We silently offer thanks that it’s her and not us, because, well, she’s patient and kind! And then one day we realize that our parents need help.

If you suddenly find yourself among the group of people Mayo Clinic calls “informal caregivers” who provide 80 percent of the long-term care in the United States, be patient with yourself. Take heart in knowing that even the most selfless and compassionate caregivers struggle with balancing personal needs with familial obligations. Caregiver stress and burnout can take a tremendous toll on your own physical, emotional, and mental health. If, like most caregivers, you’re trying to maintain a career, or you have your own active family to manage at the same time, the overwhelm can feel unbearable.

Whether you’re providing care for an ailing mother with Alzheimer’s or just making sure your elderly father is safe and healthy at home, acting as primary caregiver for an aging parent can feel like more than a full-time job. Making sure that groceries are stocked, meals cooked and eaten, appointments made, medications taken on time, and any other myriad tasks that ensure quality of life can become physically, emotionally, and financially draining.