Parent Network

All of us natural, organic and whole foods people must focus or we will be caught in the tyranny of the moment and life will pass us by. It is easy to be over involved with daily schedules and pressures and forget about the every day joy that life often brings. This is particularly true when you are involved in the elderly care of elderly parents. “Elderly care” presents lots of challenges, but many rewards as well. Illustrating this is an event that happened a few nights ago in our home. It may have ordinarily gone unnoticed if I hadn’t stopped and let it settle in. Trivial and silly little things often escape our notice.

Everyone was getting ready for bed and I was finishing a little project at the kitchen table before I started with my routine of natural, organic, whole foods supplement and tincture consumption at days end when I begin to hear a faint click click coming in my direction form around the corner near my elderly parents bed room.

I couldn’t quite put it together, it wasn’t something usual so I stopped to listen. Click click again and again and now it was nearer and getting closer. My mind couldn’t make a connection. Then it appeared, just coming around the corner, it was my dad’s walker. My mind was confused, why was I seeing my dad’s walker coming around the corner? I had just put dad to bed, he can’t get in and out of bed by himself I thought. I know he needs help.

Elderly care always has challenges, and my mind was was asking, “Why?” Who has gotten him out of bed? I know he can’t walk by himself without supervision. I know my mom can’t be helping because she is elderly too and barely able to take care of herself and get along with her own walker unassisted.  Read more... (993 words, 1 image, estimated 3:58 mins reading time)

I write from my concern for children and teenagers – not from any criticism of any one in particular or parents in general. I know that there are many fantastic parents with responsible teenagers who work and play hard, care about others and make the choice to take neither drugs nor alcohol. I also know that there are parents who have tried their hardest and their children make choices that do not lead to health of happiness.

All make their own choices but my view is that no parents must renege on making sensible and fair choices in order to guide and support their teenagers through a vital stage of life. It is part of the continuing responsibility of being a parent – encouraging restraint and moderation in all aspects of social life and preventing, as much as possible, dangerous behaviour. Some choices may be unpopular – so be it!

I was a doctor for 45 yrs and a psychiatrist for 35 of those years.

I write from experience and expertise gained from training, study and many years of work, and from being a mother and grandmother. My articles are not scientific papers or research, but my opinion from the accumulated knowledge from those years and aimed at giving information.

I cannot stress too much, too frequently, or too strongly the need for teenagers to stop excessive drinking, taking drugs or having unprotected sex- but that is common knowledge. Those who have sadly already lost a child know the dreadful grief that follows. Parents may face a life time’s grief – not something that will go away in a few days or weeks, an endless time of sadness and feelings of guilt at what could have or should have been. Therapy could help and did, but nothing could bring back the lost loved one.  Read more... (928 words, 1 image, estimated 3:43 mins reading time)

The Assisted Living Federation (ALFA) reports that there are about 36,000 assisted living communities in the US.* This includes several private care homes, and independent living facilities that are considered assisted living facilities. There are other facilities with similar services called by different names. Its important to find the best senior care to ensure that your elders needs are met.

The type of DuPage County In-Home Care that you choose will depend on your parents needs. Some of the more popular elderly care options include assisted living care, nursing homes (or skilled care), care for seniors in need of special attention, including Alzheimers care, Dementia care, adult day care, retirement communities, and in-home care.

Assisted living communities are similar to retirement communities, but are designed for people with a less active lifestyle. These facilities offer 24 hour medical care, meal service, social events, and transportation services for medical appointments, and pleasure activities. In addition to these, a typical DuPage County Assisted Living care center helps elders with bathing, dressing, grooming, and even continence care. These assisted living care centers are ideal for people who wish to live independently yet, need some assistance with their daily activities.

Dupage Alzheimers or dementia care centers are typical care centers designed to help patients who are diagnosed with Alzheimers. These centers offer structured activities, and closely monitor their patients. In addition to assistance with activities of daily living these facilities provide complete care to patients. Facilities in a typical DuPage County Alzheimers care center include 24 hours of medical and security support, skilled caregivers specially trained to effectively communicate with patients suffering from Alzheimers or other form of dementia.  Read more... (429 words, 1 image, estimated 1:43 mins reading time)