Dr. John Casper This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. When roles reverse

   www.cleveland.com/smarthealth/ - [Cached]

   Published on: 11/1/2005   Last Visited: 11/2/2005

   Dr. John Casper, director of geriatric psychiatry at Akron-based Summa Health System, urges adult children to initiate a frank discussion with their parents about care preferences, along with a review of their assets and insurance, and who holds each parent's power-of-attorney. It's important to do this before a crisis necessitates additional assistance in the home or a move into an assisted-living or skilled-nursing facility.
   
   "If we can do a little planning, things go a lot better," Casper says.
   ...
   Casper suggests taking advantage of programs and services such as adult day-care centers and respite care offered by assisted-living and nursing facilities to lighten the caregiver load and schedule personal time -- regular trips to the gym, for example -- and vacations if another family member isn't available or willing to help out.
   
   "It may mean an investment of some money to be able to do that," he says. "But the payback from that investment is enormous."
   
   Casper adds that it's important for caregivers to recognize when they can't care for an elderly relative anymore. "It creeps up on you," he says of the situation. Seniors who are agitated, aggressive, incontinent and/or are wandering from the home may well need a more structured, supervised environment. "It's not because you want to, it's not because you're malicious," he reassures.