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Tips for Helping Your Senior Manage the Emotional Impact of Pain

Elderly Care in Westfield NJ: The Emotional Impact of Pain
Elderly Care in Westfield NJ: The Emotional Impact of Pain

When most people think of pain, they think of the physical aspect of the pain. It can leave you exhausted, compromise your mobility and ability to complete tasks, and diminish your physical functioning. As a family caregiver for an elderly adult, it is important to recognize that it is not just the physical aspect of pain that can impact your elderly parent. Particularly if they are suffering from a form of chronic pain, they are likely to experience a tremendous emotional impact as well. Recognizing emotional impact, and helping your parent to cope with and manage it effectively is vital not just for improving their outlook, but also helping them to preserve their health and quality of life.

Elderly Care in Westfield NJ: The Emotional Impact of Pain
Elderly Care in Westfield NJ: The Emotional Impact of Pain

Use these tips to help your parent manage the emotional impact of pain:

  • Be there for them. Pain is a very personal struggle, and many people going through it end up feeling alone and isolated as a result. This can increase risk for depression and anxiety, and also increase the experience of the pain. Make sure your parent knows you are there for them, and offer your support as much as they need so they know they are not going through this totally by themselves.
  • Acknowledge that their pain is real. Many people worry that they are being dramatic about their pain, or that it shouldn’t impact them so much. This can cause them to not talk about what they are experiencing, or not seek treatment and help. Acknowledge that your parent is going through something difficult, and that it is impacting their daily life. Let them know they are not being dramatic, and that this is a real issue that deserves attention.
  • Be respectful of their grief for themselves. If your parent is experiencing severe chronic pain due to a health condition or permanent injury, there may be elements of their life they will no longer be able to enjoy. This can be devastating for your parent. Respect the sadness they are feeling, and help them to work through the challenge of facing this change. Help to ease it by working with them to find other things they can enjoy, and other ways to find meaning in their later years that are appropriate for their challenges.

 

Introducing elderly care into your care routine with your aging parent can be one of the most beneficial decisions you make for them as their family caregiver. Bringing an elderly home care services provider into your care efforts for your senior does not mean you don’t want to be their caregiver, or that you don’t care about the quality or success of their care. Instead, it is a way to show how much you love your parents, and how dedicated you are to making sure they can live the highest quality of life possible. The care services offered by an elderly care provider are designed specifically to meet your senior’s needs in the ways that are right for them, while also promoting a lifestyle that is as independent, engaged, and fulfilling as possible. Not only does this help your senior to stay healthy, happy, and safe, but also relieves your stress and promotes better health and wellbeing for you.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring elderly care in Westfield, NJ, call the caring staff at Helping Hands Home Care today at 908-418-4299. Providing Home Care Services in all of Northern and Central NJ, including Clark, Westfield, Cranford, Scotch Plains, Rahway, Linden, Summit, Edison, Elizabeth, Mountainside and the surrounding areas.

 

Source

https://report.nih.gov/nihfactsheets/ViewFactSheet.aspx?csid=57

Robert D'Arienzo

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