Chapter 7 and 8

While many elders are able to continue driving in their later years, not everyone can maintain quick reflexes, good eyesight, and other factors that could impair their ability to stay safe on the road. For most people, losing their ability to drive causes them to become much more dependent on others, so it can be very difficult to convince them they should give up their keys. However, it is important to remember that safety, both for your parent and everyone else on the road, is the number one priority. It is much easier to deal with the short-term hurt feelings or anger than to lose a parent in an accident that could have been prevented.

This situation could possibly be eased if the parent would want to live in a senior community because often times, they provide transportation to popular locations and also have many activities for residents to participate in. In this case, the elder may willingly give up their driving privileges if they do not need their own car to get around town.

Oftentimes, losing the ability to drive is only the first in a series of many changes resulting in a much greater dependence on others. Chronic diseases are very common among the elderly, and over time, these can cripple them and prevent them from being able to care for themselves. Most elders today finish their lives in nursing homes. While that idea is not favorable, it is not as common for families to take care of the elders due to busy schedules and high demands of care needed.

Another challenge is to find a nursing home or assisted living facility that meets quality requirements of the family while still being somewhat affordable. On average, and elder spends two and a half years in a nursing home, but most often, they run out of money long before that. This fact should make it apparent to Americans that changes need to be enacted to keep seniors from losing their life savings in order to receive end-of-life care.

Chapter 3 & 4

There is great difficulty in accepting that a parent is suffering but at the same time distancing yourself from that suffering, while still remaining close to the parent. It is a very complex balancing act that is of great importance in supporting the parent. It is a great responsibility for a child to take on in caring for an aging parent, but it also can have great rewards for all involved. Often times, an elderly or widowed parent has no one else to turn to but their own children when they are no longer able to care for themselves. If the child has the financial resources and time available to care for a parent, even if this means using professional care and still spending time with the parent, it can fulfill an important mission in life. While it is difficult to see someone you care about suffering, it is necessary to still be a part of their life and show them that you care in order to ease their condition.

Adjusting to losing independence due to illness or another cause is a very complex process for all parties involved. Each of us hopes to remain healthy and independent until our final days, but that goal is not realized for many. With increasing age, the probability of developing one or more chronic diseases grows, which leads to decreases in function and/ or mental ability. For the most part, parents would choose to be taken care of by their child rather than institutionalized. This can put a strain on the family, but the overall benefit or weakness depends on the people involved, their interests, and financial capability. While caring for a parent in the child’s home can be costly in time and privacy, professional care is extremely costly in the monetary sense, as well as mentally for both the parent and child. In many cases, this is the only option, and all parties must accept the challenges and support each other through the trying times.