Crossroads

There are so many times that I have met families who are struggling with resistant parents to change in their lives. They see their...

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements tells caregivers: know that you're doing your best. When you've gotten feedback from family or friends, take it...

Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living explains the financial power of attorney, the person who will make sure that all of a loved one's bills are paid.

OK, so Mom and Dad are moved to a new retirement community. You and your family members scurried and got them settled, and then...

Kelley talks about red flags to watch for that may signal when to intervene as an adult child or loved one of a senior who may need care. Maybe you've noticed that your mom used to keep her house spotless in the past, but now you see spoiled food in the fridge, stacks of stuff in odd places, and she's ordering strange stuff by mail. You know your loved one, and some things will stand out as unusual. Are they grabbing onto furniture and walls to support themselves? Making excuses for you not to visit? Kelley provides advice when you see behaviors that stand out as unusual in our senior loved ones.

When the conversations are over, and something doesn't go right, Kelley talks about next steps. You can't control another human being. There are other options if a loved one digs in their heels. Northeast Seattle has NEST — Northeast Seattle Together — and other neighborhoods have programs like this. For a small fee, people will come to the house and do chores, mow the lawn, and do other tasks, so you don't have to be overwhelmed. A family advocate or caregiver needs to keep their balance and boundaries.