Mom Wont Participate!

Q: Six months ago we placed my mother in an assisted living facility. She gets along fairly well, but we thought she would get involved with all of the activities. Instead she complains that she is very lonely, and won't participate. Do you have any suggestions?

A: There may be a number of reasons your mother doesn't participate in the actives offered.

You may want to step back a bit and assess your mother's situation. Ask yourself a few of these questions

1. What kind of activities has my mother always enjoyed doing?

2. Does my mother enjoy social gatherings now?

3. Does my mother enjoy a one on one visit?

4. Are there health factors present now that keeps her from enjoying group activities?

5. Before my mother needed assistance with activities of daily living was she a homebody or a social butterfly?

When determining what kind of facility your loved is best suited for those 5 questions should be asked. Often times, we as family members think that all sorts of activities would be good for our lonely senior. But, if group activities have not been a part of their lifestyle, it may be hard for them to just jump in a do the activities.

Your mom may just be a slow starter. One thing you might try is scheduling time to go in and participate in a few activities with your mom. This might help her feel more comfortable. If this is the case she will soon be attending activities on her own.

If however she still wishes to remain in her room, and still complains that she is lonely, you may wish to consider further investigation. Perhaps consulting with a neutral, long-term care advisor would be beneficial. I would suggest speaking with someone who is not interested in keeping your mom in their facility at all costs.

While these suggestions are not exhaustive, they will give you a place to begin.

Renee "Dutchy" Reeves is an Elder Care Consultant with over 10 years of working with the elderly and their families. Her online advice column, "Ask Dutchy" provides practical ideas and advice for assisting the elderly with Alzheimer's disease, Dementia, Parkinson's, disability, and those needing long term care. See other articles by her at http://www.askdutchy.mycarelink.net

---

The Right Wheelchair Accessories Will Ease Your Life and Your Journeys on Wheels

Wheelchairs come in every shape and size with sufficient options... Read More

Stair Lifts - Straight and Curved Rails

There are two types of stairlift. Straight and curved. The... Read More

Solitary Confinement -- for Life

Sixty-five year old Arthur Jones served a self-imposed life sentence... Read More

Caring for Aging Relatives

It happens somewhat slowly in the beginning, maybe with a... Read More

Assisted Living: Tips on How to Choose a Facility

It is easy to be fooled by fancy drapery or... Read More

Prepare to Make Long-term Care Choices

Several months ago, I was coming out of a gas... Read More

The Truth About Christmas

Every year, as Christmas approaches, you hear Christmas carols everywhere.... Read More

Compare Nursing Homes

Finding the best nursing home is easier than you might... Read More

Honey, Where Are The Car Keys?

Q: My mother is always losing, hiding and hoarding things,... Read More

Caregiving Across The Miles?Tips for Successful Long Distance Caregiving

Caring for a parent or a loved one is a... Read More

Who Wants to End Up in a Nursing Home? NO ONE!

As a long-term care consultant for seniors and their families... Read More

How To Find Affordable Senior Housing

A few years ago Miranda M. became a widow. After... Read More

What Most Long Term Care Professionals Don?t Know

Medicare recognizes this need and, therefore reimburses your residents to... Read More

Advocate For Senior Citizens ? Protecting Against Abuse and Fraud

Ruth is 87 years old this year and has been... Read More

Assisted Living Facilities ? What Are They?

Assisted Living facilities are generally for person's 60 years of... Read More

Senior Care for Alzheimer?s

As a person ages, a certain amount of memory loss... Read More

Scaling Down (almost) Painlessly

Moving to a smaller house or apartment in a retirement... Read More

Senior Living: 5 Ways to Help Reduce the Risk of Falling

Every year we hear stories of seniors falling, ending up... Read More

Using The Proper Wheelchair Will Make Your Everyday Life Easier

If you have an injury or a health problem that... Read More

Marketing, Selling, and Serving the Older Adult, Senior Citizens, Family Caregivers

Are your clients pleased by the fine quality service that... Read More

Nursing Home Staffing Levels: How Much Is Enough?

During the week of February 17, 2002, headlines screamed the... Read More

Prevent or Delay Alzheimers Disease

Argh! Where are my glasses? I put them down .... Read More

When Assistance with Long Term Care Becomes Necessary

According to the Administration on Aging, it is estimated by... Read More

Why Everyone Over 50 Should be Training for the Senior Games

by Phil Campbell, M.S., M.A., FACHE Senior Games participant and... Read More

Alzheimers Care Giving While Maintaining Your Own Health

Just for a moment I want you to imagine that... Read More

Arizona Assisted Living: Resident Rights

According to the Arizona Administrative Code (R9-10-710), those who reside... Read More

Scaling Down (Almost) Painlessly

Moving to a smaller house or apartment in a retirement... Read More

Paying For Elder Care Just Got Easier

It's not a surprise that thousands of families across the... Read More

Introducing the Best Available Long Term Care Policy Guarantee

If you're 60 to 70 years old ... or have... Read More

Arizona Senior Housing: Care Options for Seniors Who Can No Longer Live Alone

The following are a few of the care options available... Read More

Arizona Assisted Living Homes -- The Alternative to High Priced Senior Care

The cost of skilled nursing care is slowly rising. Currently,... Read More

New Hope for Alzheimers Treatment

There is now widespread agreement among research scientists and medical... Read More

Baby Boomers: Will They Be Able to Afford Their Parents?

Do you worry about whether your aging parents have their... Read More