It’s easy to get off track with aging parents. Complicated decisions, intense conversations and setbacks on issues that you thought were taken care of are just a few of the “uncouplers” that come with caregiving. The good news is that the partnership has a regrouping gravity of its own, a collective pull to reconnect both generations and continue on.
Caregivers can facilitate this critical process of regrouping by softening expectations, choosing a non-judgmental attitude and remembering to use language that resonates with the developmental needs of older adults. You will find this “grounding” process of triangulating expectations, attitude and language to optimize reparative communication will also serve you well in other situations besides caregiving that need a way to get back on track…
