Given our culture’s preoccupation and considerable investment in staying young and fit it’s surprising how little we consider or prepare for our senior years. To begin to address our collective denial about aging, in-home care agency Right At Home Central Oregon is hosting an educational series created by Ali Davidson to help adult children, boomers and seniors develop a plan of action for their parents’ (and their own) elder years.
Beginning February 28 and continuing once each month through May, Wiser and Older: Education and Empowerment Series for Adult Children and Seniors includes four workshops on such topics as the necessity of having a plan (for oneself and one’s parents), intergenerational communication, critical legal and financial issues, housing and care options and the differences between Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
Wiser and Older creator Davidson honed her expertise with the senior population during the decade she and her husband owned an in-home care agency. As a result of that experience, Davidson wrote a book called It’s Between You and Me to help adult children and their parents work together to create a plan for the senior years.
A counselor in private practice and a master in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), Davidson coaches adult children and seniors on how to maximize a senior’s independence and choice in a time of diminishing personal freedom. Davidson says: “It’s essential that we change our beliefs about aging and create a new paradigm for ourselves and our loved ones. The shift in perception leads to power, greater relationships and an opportunity to embrace who we really are at all stages of life.”
Julie Burket, CEO of Right at Home Central Oregon says, “Through the past year and a half of providing in-home care in Central Oregon, I have seen how great the need is for people to discuss the next steps for themselves and their parents. We are often called in to help when a crisis occurs and there is no longer time for calm discussion. Ali’s book speaks directly to this and prompted our desire to host the Wiser and Older series.”
“Caring for elderly parents can be very difficult for the adult child,” comments Davidson, “especially when a crisis precipitates a first conversation on these sensitive subjects. My intention is to help you think preventatively when it comes to your aging parents (and yourself!) A senior’s need for control and a child’s need for peace of mind will be satisfied when denial is set aside and a plan for the aging years is created cooperatively, long before the need arises.”
A portion of the proceeds from Wiser and Older will benefit NeighborImpact’s Food Bank.
