Being exposed to the geriatric population for twenty years and counting as a profession has made it easier for me to accept and learn the difficulties that lie ahead for our parents " Golden Years".
Determining the time we need and the financial aspect of giving back to our parents plays a big role.
How much time can you spare on top of what your daily routine has been juggling around with a family of five? That alone just goes to say we really have to practice efficient time management.
How well do your parents understand their medical condition? Do they feel that they can still do the things they used to do? At what point do we , as their children, intervene and be the medical proxy.
1. When to help out? When we start noticing signs of weakness, losing balance, sudden onset of confusion, forgetfulness, difficulty walking, doing household chores.
2. It maybe time to get a general work up from the primary care physician and request for lab works, to see if the signs you are noticing could be a prelude to a undermining disease or infection. ( often times, urinary tract infection could be a reason why they have the signs listed above)
3. If they are capable enough of writing up a living will and advance directives, you will be empowering your parents or significant other in making that decision for themselves and it will be less of a headache on your end to decide on what needs to be done when the time comes that they can not make their own decisions. ( eg,. Do they want external life support?, feeding tube, artificial means of breathing?, intubation? ) Even as an adult, it is advisable as long as you are knowledgeable enough, to write up your own living will and advance directives.
