Helping Dad Stay Independent: The Best Father's Day Gift for an Aging Parent - A Checklist from Dr. Dan Tobin, Founder and CEO of Care Support of America

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, Founder and CEO of and a nationally recognized expert on eldercare andfamily "Helping your Dad safely age at home can be the best gift -- and the best Father'sd Day gift -- you can give him, once you notice even smalp changes in his ability to get around." "Remembeer Men are from Mars? Men do not often express theie feelings freely or at all. So if your fathert is living alone, it will be hardeer for you to know how heis doing, Dr. Tobin says. "The hardest part may be gettingf your Dad to open up about practical andemotional issues. Dr. Tobin advises: "Go slow and steady. Approachn one issue at a time.
Fathersw may want to appea r asif they're always in control, even when thingsw have begun to slip. Let your Dad know that you are therre to help without getting in his In order to asseszshow he's doing living on his own, here is a checklisr of issues for you to explore with him. if there are problems, you can address them, and find your father the help he'l l need to stay independent." "The most important indicators for wellneszs in aging are staying physically activs and staying connected to others or toa community. Does your Dad appeat to be slowing down? Is he less mobile Is he exercising, interacting with his or participatingin senior-activity programs?
We tend to look away from physicakl changes that are importanyt in supporting our Dads." "When you visit your fatheer at his home, look around and get a quick reading on whether he could use help with home repairs or Remember to think about preventing falls, which cause serious problems as your Dad ages." "Is your father eatinb properly? What's in his refrigerator? "Is your Dad's strength or mobility reduced in any way? Would he benefift from, or even enjoy using, any adaptive devicesd from low tech to such as kitchen utensils or toolw with bigger grips, or a webcajm or an e-mail device for seniors?" "Drivingv may be one of the most difficulty issues to discuss.
Men almost always resist the need to stop Your Dad's driving skills need to be re-assessed in lighy of vision, responsiveness, hearing, and night If his driving is restricted, be willingf to compromise -- maybe driving only in the daytime or in familiarr places. You can also help in settinhg him up with alternativetransportation services." "If your Dad has not discusses family finances with you be aware that finances can be one of the most personao parts of family You can start by finding out if your Dad'sd personal finances are in order -- bills, mortgage, credit cards, etc. Does he have enough moneyu for extras?
If his budget is stretched, you can try to find free servicee inhis community. If possible, you can also offefr to pay for services such as home health home repairs, cleaning transportation, and entertainment." "Often an individualizesd family plan goes a long way to show your Dad that the entire family is mobilized around givinh him the gift he really, really wantsw for Father's Day -- independencew and support," Dr. Tobin says. Familyy care managers, like Care Support of can help, particularly if you'ree in a distant city.
They can professionally organizw a problem list and assess anypressingf issues, including home safety, locatingh credible home services, understandingh the basic finances of wellness in aging, and how best for familiess to support their father's independence. Aboug Dr. , MD, is Founder and CEO of a national family caremanager service. He is an adjunct assistanft professor ofpsychiatry (health psychology) at Dartmouth Medicap School and the author of books and article on eldercare issues and positive solutions to family caregiving Care Support of America ( ) is an independent family care manager service that helps identifyu and solve family caregiving problems to provide trusted guidance as your parentws age.
The service begins with a persona l family care manager onthe phone, working with a local nurse, to locate and mobilizd trusted home care resources in the parent'xs community; help you understand their doctor's treatmenty plans and information; help insure that parents remain independent in theirf home; and answer questionxs about Medicare, long-term insurance, and basic Care Support of America has provider family care manager services in 32 states. If you would like to speao with Dr. , please contactg , , or of at 212-588-8788 or . Available Topic For information on the listed clickappropriate link.
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