Chapter 2 Some Lessons learned in dealing with an aging parent

In this chapter Liberman talks about lessons he learned while dealing with an aging parent. Liberman gives 13 recommendations as to what to look out for and what to do when your parent is getting older and close to end-of-life. Senior citizens are older and more concerned with things such as wills, family time, and just talking to someone. A major issue in my opinion is that people don't know how to deal with their parents when they get to that age, and they just put them in a nursing home and leave them there. I did clinicals at a nursing home and after doing so, I made up my mind that I would never put my parents in a nursing home because of the staff, and how the elderly were treated. I like the recommendation that Liberman gave about giving the elderly space, and knowing what to say and when. I think it is important to know where your relationship is with your parents because you do have to remember that your both older and at different places in your life. Senior citizens love to look back at their lives and share their memories all the time with family, and friends. They may repeat a story more than once, so you have to be patient with them. Patience is the key when dealing with kids and with the elderly. Remember that one day you will be in their shoes, and you want to be treated with love, respect, and care when you reach that stage in life, so as I will always remember and I think everyone should use it in their daily lives, "Do unto others, as you would want done unto you." If we use that in our lives we will always succeed in everything we try and achieve.

Leslie-Ann Ellington