Last
week you may have read an article in the Chronicle’s 2018 Life Planning Guide, encouraging
parents to start a conversation with their adult children about such things as their
hopes and fears, their financial situation, their personal property and long-term
care.
But as
adult children, what should you say to your aging parents, or more specifically
what should you NOT say? On the Next Avenue website, Linda Bernstein writes
about “8 Things Not to Say to Your Aging Parents” to avoid the conversational potholes
especially when their health and cognitive abilities are declining. And though
it speaks to aging parents, it could be applied to any family member or friend.
Would
you say any of these things?
1. “How
can you not remember that!?” Short term memory often goes before long term
memory. You can remember what happened on your wedding day but forget what you
had for breakfast. It is scary thinking you may be losing your memory. An alternative
is to use post-it notes and reminder calls.
2. “You
could do that if you really tried.” It’s hard knowing you can no longer do
things you once were able to do. And it doesn’t help to be reminded. Try to
find out what the specific difficulty is and see if you can work around it or find
someone to help.
3. “I
just showed you how to use the DVR yesterday.”
It is
difficult to learn any new technology, but even worse if your cognitive abilities
and eyesight are declining.
4. “What
does that have to do with what we are talking about.”
Often
conversations go rogue. Maybe it’s a reduced attention span, or they haven’t
been able to follow the conversation because of hearing loss. In these situations,
gently bring the conversation back around or just listen.
5. “You
already told me that.”
How
many times have you repeated a story? Be patient - even though this is the
umpteenth time you’ve heard about the space shuttle lifting off at Cape Kennedy.
6. “I
want your silver tea service when you die.”
Nothing
like coming across as a circling vulture! Do remind them that by making their
wishes known, it could avoid future sibling conflicts.
7. “Wake
up! I thought you wanted to see this.”
Darkened
rooms or theaters can be an automatic cue to fall asleep. (I don’t think I have
completely seen any of the recent Star War movies.)
8. “Hel-lo?!
Your grandson’s name is Ryan.”
Sometimes
it is not what you say, but how you say it. Say it gently with a friendly smile.
Conversations
can be frustrating, especially with someone in the early stages of memory loss.
But be patient and gentle. There may be a time when you will find yourself on
the other side of the conversation.
Sunday,
February 25th from 10:00 – 1:00 is the Center’s Bagel Brunch
prepared by the Bagel Guy himself, Rick Leibowitz. You will have your choice of
four kinds of bagels, (and these aren’t your Fred Meyer Bagels, but handmade
bagels your grandmother would have made), three flavors of cream cheese, and
smoked salmon. In addition, there will be apple crisp and fruit salad. Tickets
are only $10.00 and can be purchased at the Center. The Bagel Brunch is
sponsored by The Springs at Mill Creek.
A
brand-new production of The Sound of Music is coming to Portland’s Keller
Auditorium and you can be there. I have eight tickets left for the Sunday
matinee performance on March 11th. The ticket price is $75 including
transportation.
The
two-time figure skating champion who first started providing figure skating
commentary during the 1960 Winter Olympics was Dick Button. (Although he didn’t
show me a double axel jump, the winner of a quilt raffle ticket is Dennis
Wygal. And from last week, I forgot to mention Jim Ayers, and the person with
the mystery signature, Dennis Davis.)
Sticking
with the Olympics, for this week’s “Remember When” question, what female figure
skater won a Gold Medal in the Ladies Singles at the 1968 Winter
Olympics, the only Gold Medal won by the United States? Email your answer to
www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or drop it off with
an a bottle of Robitussin.
Well,
it’s been another week, taking it as it come. Until we meet again, it is what
it is.
“I’m
no longer quite sure what the question is, but I do know that the answer is
‘Yes’.” Leonard Bernstein
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