Consider that four-year-olds apparently laugh fifty times daily, while the typical adult guffaws only fifteen.
Now, anyone with infinitely-challenging elderly parents in the throes of drudgery would understandably scream the toil is no light-hearted matter! Including me!
My point is, perhaps if we found some way to reframe our mindset we might lessen by a titch the albatross-like burden. Who knows? Perhaps we could giggle one day over the outrageousness!
Humor is possible amidst the seriousness.
That’s what Janet* (names changed) did.
This episode involves her mother, progressively declining from Alzheimer’s disease. Let me state right up front that a parental crisis is by no meansa laughing matter. Anyone who lives with or knows someone suffering from this terrible condition knows first-hand its devastating impacts.
Having fallen in her room, the care facility immediately called an ambulance. Hip fracture was a real threat. Everyone was extremely concerned until she was released from hospital with no breakage.
Though it took a while for my friend to calm down after this latest trial, there was a kernel of humor within.
Apparently, when she declared relief in the fall’s aftermath, her mother quizzed, “What ambulance? What fall? What are you talking about? Are you crazy?” Like there had never been kerfuffle mere days before. Janet was howling in gales of laughter over such incredulity when we sipped coffees.
The Sandwich Generation will be there one day.
Of course there’s a time and place for tears – man or woman. Genuine sadness is natural faced with a deteriorating parent.
Janet simply realized this important success ingredient: Discover what’s bizarre in your eldercare circumstances and your chances of remaining strong inwardly climb.
Bear in mind: Baby Boomers will eventually become the aged. Given the rise in seniors who text and tweet, I offer some fun social media codes for your amusement.
BTW: Bring the Wheelchair
CUATSC: See You at the Senior Center
DWI: Driving While Incontinent
LMDO: Laughing My Dentures Out
ROFL…CGU: Rolling On the Floor Laughing…And Can’t Get Up
WTP: Where’s The Prunes?
My parting questions…
It’s up to you.
Do you elect to curl into the fetal position at the hands of your unbelievable elders or roar in the moonlight at the lunacy of it all? Which option do you think will serve you – and your parents – better?
Carol-Ann Hamilton
Latest posts by Carol-Ann Hamilton (see all)
- ‘Telling’ Your Parents What to Do - September 16, 2019
- How to Survive Eldercare Craziness - September 10, 2019
- I STAND For… - September 2, 2019
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