Tag Archives for health

Study: Communication Gap Exists Between Elderly and Their Children

Published in the Pawtucket Times on May 21, 2001

Everyone knows that communication gaps oftentimes occur between teenagers and their parents. According to the findings of a newly released AARP study, this problem also occurs in the later years too, between elderly parents and their adult children.

The AARP study found that most adult children never talk with their elderly parents about their aged-related needs until a crisis occurs.

Of those surveyed, two out of three adult children have never had this conversation with their aging parents.

Additionally, the findings indicated that more adult children and their older parents believed that their parents had a problem that affected their independence.

Moreover, the researchers say that the elderly parents are more than twice as likely as their adult children to say that their offspring had given them no help when they had a problem in the past five years.  While many elderly parents would seek information f rom their adult children about how to live independently, one in three adult children don’t know what type of information to give their parents or even where to locate it.

Grace Lebow, Co.-Director, of Aging Network Services, a nationwide care management service based in Bethesda, Maryland, believes “it’s never too late to open up communication with your elderly parents.”

However, “Many aging baby boomers find it difficult to see their parents age and become less parental to them,” states the clinical social worker specializing in working with older persons.

“Sometimes both older parents and grown children will think they are protecting each other by not addressing delicate subjects such as finances, wills, medical, durable power of attorney, and prepaid funerals,” Lebow tells The Times.

“The longer you avoid discussing these sensitive issues, the harder it will become when a future crisis occurs.”

Adult children often complain that their parents avoid or even refuse any discussions. Meanwhile, even if elderly parents are willing to talk with their adult children, oftentimes it’s the aging baby boomer children who are the ones who are in denial,” Lebow says.

“The adult children must become more receptive to listening to their signals instead of changing the subject and turning off the conversation.” She urges the aging baby boomers to tune in and pick up the parent’s lead.

For both generations, Lebow calls each to “listen to each other and become open for discussion.”

Sometimes a sibling might block needed conversations about age-related issues.

To circumvent this obstacle, consider writing a letter to this sibling and to the elderly parent, Lebow recommends, stating your feelings and how important you consider holding a family meeting to discuss your older parent’s needs.

Or consider bringing in the family friend or professional to get the dialogue jumpstarted, Lebow adds.

“It may even take the personal experiences of a friend of the parent to bring the issues home to both the elderly parent and adult children.”

Professionals, like family physicians or lawyers, who the older person trusts might be brought into the communication impasse as an alley to discuss the importance and the need for taking steps such as signing a living will, durable power of attorney or the need for prepaid funerals.

Aging specialist Nora Jean Levin, quoted in AARP’s brochure “Family Conversations that Help Parents Stay Independent,” notes that a conversation can help “plan for the future.”

She recommends working with older parents to create personal and financial profiles, including information such as the parent’s Social Security numbers, insurance coverage, medical records, and financial status.  By gathering this information, you might uncover current or potential needs for help.

As your older parent’s health and financial needs continue to change over time, continue to keep up your conversations on a regular basis.

To receive a pamphlet, “Family Conversations that Help Parents Stay Independent,” call Betsy L. Draper, of AARP, at 617 723-7600; or for information on Aging Network Services or to order a copy of Coping with Your Difficult Older Parents: A Guide for Stressed Out Children, by Grace Lebow & Barbara Kane, call 301 657-4329.

Alzheimer’s News often Confusing to Interpret

Published in Pawtucket Times on March 26, 2001

Everyday hundreds of thousands of caregivers scan newspapers, senior papers, Time, Newsweek, Modern Maturity or even National Enquirer in hopes of learning a little more about new, effective treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease.

Oftentimes it is confusing to determine which treatments are promising and which ones that are not, due to the diverse opinions in the research community. For instance, one article might report on Vitamin E; others might state how Ginko really improves your memory and is good for Alzheimer’s patients to take. Others might describe studies that indicate that estrogen replacement therapy is not really an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease for some women. Or some might even warn the reader “Don’t eat off of aluminum plate

s” because research seems to indicate that an accumulation of heavy metals, such as aluminum, in the brain may surely cause Alzheimer’s.

Here are some helpful tips for unraveling the mysteries of Alzheimer’s Disease as reported in media.

Beware of glitzy headlines. Time limitations keep people from reading every article in their daily, weekly or monthly newspapers. As a result, many readers just quickly scan the headlines for information. Don’t judge an article by its glitzy title. The content of an article is much more balanced than the headline that is catchy and written to draw the readers in.

Look for authoritative commentary. You can consider an article more credible when it provides multiple quotes on the indications of an Alzheimer’s treatment. The reporter has done a good job in reporting if there is authoritative commentary on the significance of the study.  Two likely sources might be staffers from either the National Alzheimer’s Association  or the National Institutes of Health, a major funder of Alzheimer’s research studies.  Remember that the National Alzheimer’s Association’s point of view tends to be less biased and a more reliable opinion that those of researchers that have ties to a pharmaceutical company that issued the press release.

Disputes on findings. Keep in mind that even if a research study is reported there might be those persons who believe that the study is not well designed or has major research flaws. On the other hand, the study might just be accepted by the scientific community as a solid study. However, there might still be serious disagreements about how to interpret the results or how to classify it. Some researchers might consider it a major study while others would categories it as a minor one.  A well-researched article will include the quotes of those who oppose the findings.

Are you still confused by how to cull articles for tips on safe and effective treatments for Alzheimer’s? Where do we go from here? Caregivers should view any articles written about new Alzheimer’s treatments as informational in nature. The article can open the door to the researcher community and it now becomes your responsibility to do homework and find out more details about what the research findings indicate.

If the article describes the results of an actual published research study, obtain the scientific journal with the published study and carefully read it. If the findings are reported from a presentation at a conference, attempt to track the researcher down for more information.  Finally, cruise the Internet and check out the official Web sites of the Alzheimer’s Association or the National Institute of Aging to determine if they can provide information about a reported new treatment.

Finally, don’t hesitate to call your local chapter or the National Alzheimer’s Association to solicit their comments. They will gladly share all the information they have. Remember these groups closely monitor research studies and their implications for treatment.