How many of you have loved ones at home right now who require your attention un-necessarily?
Maybe they offer to help but repeatedly ask questions, which turns a simple task into one that requires double the amount of time. Or maybe you’re on a business call and there’s a tap at the door with a question or an accident that could have been prevented.
These moments are your senior wanting your attention.
The question is, are all of these attention-requiring situations slowly exhausting your relationship? If so, it’s time to come up with a plan:
- If mental illness or severe dementia is not an issue, talk to your senior and set aside specific times for the two of you to play games, go for a walk, or just have that one-on-one attention they require. Knowing they have set time to spend with you will help them feel grounded and less anxious.
- Set boundaries. Consider placing a sign on your office door when you’re working, and make sure your loved one understands what the sign means. For example, you can tell them that the sign means you’re on a conference call and shouldn’t be interrupted.
- If neither tactic works, consider having a close family member come over during set times, so they can entertain your loved one while you are completing work tasks. If you don’t have a close family member or a friend, look into bringing in a companion carer to help. Companion care aides are trained on how to redirect and entertain seniors, and offer your loved one more opportunity to engage with non-family members.
No matter what, please stay calm when the interruptions happen. Know that your loved one just wants your attention. If you need a moment before you explode, take it — your mental health is important, too. Practice self-care, even in small doses — take moment and stand outside of your door or go to the restroom and take a deep breath.
As always,
Stay Inspired,
Shonda
