theconnectionsnj.com SENIOR LIVING PAGE 55 Brightview’s award-winning communities are built to inspire and engage residents while supporting their changing needs. Our associates have two words for you: why not? Each day presents opportunities to ? safely explore new interests and embark on new adventures at Brightview. What will you do today? At Brightview, it’s entirely up to you! Pursue your creative passions. Enjoy an outing. Sample our chef’s menus Rejuvenate. in our salon. Take in a concert. Relax in your apartment home. Whatever you want to do, you can do it with Brightview. INDEPENDENCE POSSIBILITIES CHOICE Y EARS OF SERVICE FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS. EYEING A VIBRANT, SECURE FUTURE? 57 Mt. Bethel Road | Warren, NJ 07059 Assisted Living | Gallery Assisted Living | Dementia Care Learn more at www.BrightviewWarren.com 908.860.9023 magine your spouse/partner awakens in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, falls, and is on the floor in terrible pain. Your world has just changed, and will probably not return to “normal” for quite a while, if ever. Suddenly, you are a caregiver, and realize you feel unprepared for your new role. That is the situation many seniors are in when they, themselves, are at a time in their lives where they are feeling less capable than ever of handling the unexpected. The emergency squad will, undoubtedly, assist with the immediate situation, which is to assess your spouse/partner and make decisions based on his or her health. Transporting her to the hospital or determining if his vitals are within the norm are all extremely important steps to managing the situation and giving you time to adjust to the trauma and anxiety you are experiencing. That is the first part of the change you are experiencing. Now you have a new title, that of caregiver, and that can be daunting. Your knee jerk reaction may be to jump in with all of your might and all of your determination. You might spend every waking minute in the hospital with your spouse, ignoring your own need to eat, sleep, exercise, or take your own medication. That might be a very huge mistake! In order to protect yourself from the long-term deleterious effects of an accident or illness, such as trauma and fear, it is imperative that a commitment be made to protect your own health. If it seems selfish to think about yourself at this time, imagine the consequences of you becoming infirm or unable to assist in your spouse/partner’s recovery. Who will provide comfort and support, meals, trips to doctors, etc.? I can’t stress enough the value of maintaining your own health. That may mean returning home for a nap midday, taking a respite by dining in the cafeteria rather than in the patient’s room, joining friends or family for dinner, or taking a yoga or exercise class. Routine works very well for all of us in good times, and even better in challenging ones. Please do your best to follow what has given you comfort and peace, and create new ways to achieve that, if possible. Lastly, please remember to soothe your worry and anxiety by speaking with a counselor, social worker, clergy, or family member who can offer not only comfort but practical ways to manage this demanding time. Your strength will be tested, but you are up to the challenge. You’ve got this, as difficult as it feels at the moment. SENIOR CORNER Caregiving Can Happen Quickly By Ellyn Mantell I In order to protect yourself from the longterm deleterious effects of an accident or illness, such as trauma and fear, it is imperative that a commitment be made to protect your own health.
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