Healthful Habits

Healthful Habits

If your loved one had his or her way, they would drive the
car forever, wear the same cosmetics forever, smoke or chew
tobacco forever and eat their favorite dessert forever.
But if you are the caretaker, you know that some things must
stop. You also know that gentle persuasion is useless; it merely
erodes your relationship. Here are a few tips.

1. Ask your loved one to ask their doctor (clinical doctor or
trusted medical advisor) the following question: “Would it
be better for my lungs to stop smoking?” Be present so the
question does not turn into “Will smoking a few cigarettes
once in a while kill me?” Hearing it from the doctor is
what's needed.
2. Don't ever purchase something you believe is detrimental
to your elderly person. Whether it's coffee, cigarettes, beer
or lipstick, say “That is something I can't buy for you; it's
against my principles.” Don't be surprised if you cave in a
few times to some super ruse they use on you. But the next
time, have your answer ready.
3. Let your family and other caretakers know you are no
longer supplying these items (the car keys, the wine bottle,
the codeine-containing pain pills). Try to get cooperation.
Discussing it with your loved one may do more harm than
good. If they start the discussion, you end it. This is not a
task for the timid! After it's done, you'll wonder what was
so difficult.
4. Don't buy a wheelchair if your loved one can still walk
with your help. Stay with a cane as long as possible. Then
the walker. Stay with a walker as long as possible. Then
your personal help. Once a wheelchair has been accepted,
the last bit of exercise, walking, is lost. Fight against it.
Hide it in a far away closet.