- Seniors
A retired teacher with a busy social calendar, Ann P., 84, suddenly became reclusive, declining invitations to lunch, theater, and the symphony. This concerned her children, who always thought of their mother as outgoing, spry, and interested in life. “We tried talking to her about what we saw,” says Ann’s daughter, Marla, “but she always rebuffed us.”
Frustrated and increasingly worried, Marla and her brother, Jeffrey, met with a Seniors At Home care manager for a consultation about Ann. “We had a very thoughtful discussion about the possible reasons behind our mother’s recent changes,” says Marla. “The care manager gave us a clearer understanding of the situation, and we left with a number of strategies we could use to help our mom.”
Marla and Jeffrey convinced Ann to go to her doctor’s, who noticed right away that Ann was having problems hearing. Ann also opened up to her children about the recent deaths of several of her close friends. “She was ashamed about being in public due to her poor hearing,” says Marla “Coupled with the recent losses, she was experiencing some low-level depression.”
Through Seniors At Home, the family found a counselor for Ann to speak with about her grief. She is feeling better, and so are her children. “Seniors At Home helped all of us get a better grasp of a difficult situation,” says Marla, and “Jeffrey and I continue to consult with them about issues that periodically arise.”