CARING FOR ELDERLY RELATIVES

Caring for elderly relatives can be a burden, especially if they are mentally impaired or physically frail, but it can also be rewarding, as it is often a time when past problems and difficulties can be resolved.

Maintaining independence is usually high on the wish list of people in their later years, and many prefer to live alone after their partner has died. This is partly because adapting to another person's or other people's needs and habits becomes more difficult as we age. The choice of independence has to be respected, even when it involves some risk. In fact, choosing suitable accomodation in which to grow old is a decision that is probably best faced well in advance of the need arising, so that a local network of friends and support can be built up over time.

Spending time with their grandchildren gives people a chance to pass on their years of knowledge and experience.






Avoiding Isolation
Older people need more stimulation than younger people to keep the brain circuits in good shape. Reading and television are both helpful, but human contact is better. One useful rule is to encourage the elderly to have a conversation with at least three people every day: these can, of course, include delivery people, neighbours or shopkeepers. However, contact with people is likely to be more fruitful if it is of longer duration nd can include joint interests and shared memories.

Providing transport is a practical way to help. If you make contact by phone, you may find that making a brief telephone call every day or two to a parent or relative living alone is more beneficial than making a longer call once a week.

Depression
Depression is common among elderly people, and can be difficult to recognize because sadness may be absent. Symptoms are more likely to be loss of appetite , energy and enthusiasm. If the depressed person also withdraws from society they can appear to be crabby and unreasonable, rather than depressed. In elderly people depression usually results from changes in the chemistry of the brain rather than from psychological causes. This is because after middle age there are fewer cells in the brain producing substances known as neurotransmitters. These are vital chemicals that allow nerve cells to communicate with each other, and loss of the cells that produce them can lead to alteration in mood, including depression. This type of depression usually responds well to conventional antidepressant medications, which can make a considerable contribution to the maintenance of independence. Failure to recognize depression can lead to great suffering and even suicide.

Nutrition
Older people often have small appetites, but they need roughly the same amount of vitamins and minerals as younger adults. A one-a-day multivitamin and multimineral supplement can ensure that the intake of these is sufficient, but extra iron should be avoided if the diet contains plenty of meat. Adequate protein in the diet is important, as are plenty of water and sufficient fibre. Lunch clubs, shared meals with other people and taking turns to do the cooking all help to maintain good nutrition as well as social contacts. If chewing becomes a problem, investing in a food blender and juicer can make food preparation much less labour-intensive.