A person’s life and that of his/her family can be changed instantaneously and irrevocably by illness and/or injury….
And although we can become ill or injured ant any age, there’s no doubt that age increases this risk.
In my work over the past several years with older adults and their family caregivers, three health “events” have stood out to me as being especially significant.
I call these events “game changers” because nothing is ever the same after one of them.
A game changer is something we’ve all witnessed at one time or another in sports.
Take the game of basketball for instance…
In a split second the ball is stolen, or thrown down court, or dunked seemingly from high above the rim, and everything is different thereafter. The team that’s just been dunked on is down and it’s not likely that they’ll recover. It’s an experience, an image, that we can all wrap our heads around, one that’s meaning is clear.
So what are the “game changers” when it comes to your aging parent’s health?
Here’s my list:
- A broken hip
- A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia
- A severe stroke resulting in paralysis and/or memory loss
Has your aging parent experienced one or more of the above? If so then you know these really are game changers – powerful enough to perplex and overwhelm both older adult and family. In these instances, information and support are essential…the sooner the better.
Maybe your mom or dad hasn’t experienced one of the game changers I’ve mentioned, but something else that has completely changed their life picture. If so, what was that? My list is by no means exhaustive and I look forward to hearing from you.
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