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Caring for a Child with a Disability May Affect Mothers as they Age

Elder Care in Pompano Beach FL

It’s no surprise that caring for a child with a disability is difficult. It can really take a toll on the caregiver, which is usually the child’s mother. After years of caring for a disabled child, a mother’s brain may even be forever changed, which could lead to a decline in cognitive skills as she ages. A new study published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B shows that moms who have children with special needs show memory problems as they age more consistently than those who had children without any impairment.

The belief as to what causes this revolves around the extra stress the mother faced on an ongoing basis throughout her life. No matter how much she may have loved her child, there was still extra stress that came with caring for him or her because of the disability. If you have a disabled sibling, it’s possible your aging parents may be at higher risk for cognitive problems as they age. That’s something to consider, so you can be watching out for them in their later years.

One of the best ways to protect them and keep them safe if they have cognitive problems is to hire a caregiver. Having a 24/7, elder care worker can make the difference between letting your parents age in place and requiring them to move into a facility that can give them the proper care. If your aging loved ones want to live in their current home, the right caregiver can make that happen and give you peace of mind at the same time.

Memory decline can be particularly difficult for older people, because it puts them at risk for forgetting medications, forgetting to eat properly, or neglecting to do things that are very important, like turning off the stove when they are done cooking a meal. If you’re concerned that your mother may be at, or getting to, this point, an elderly care worker can help you sleep better at night and worry a lot less. It may also help your mother keep her independence, and that can be very important in the quality of life of an older person.

After all the years she spent caring for others, the change to being cared for can be a little difficult. The adjustment period is usually short, though, and it’s well worth the effort to make sure she can stay in her home and still be safe and comfortable. A caregiver will also mean someone else to talk to, and that can help keep her from getting lonely or depressed. Helping an elderly loved one avoid depression is highly important, and not always easy, but a caregiver is an excellent way to make life better.

If you or a family member near Pompano Beach, FL are in need of elder care services, call the caring professionals at Star Multi Care today at (954) 870-4770. Providing Service in Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Delray Beach, Coconut Creek, Taramac, Margate, and surrounding Florida cities.

Source
http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/04/10/disability-memory-moms/20208/

Stephen Sternbach

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