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North Carolina Workers' Compensation

Disability Insurance - ERISA Attorney

Disability Insurance: Do not buy it through your employer

Medical Malpractice, Hospital Malpractice, Professional Negligence

Tips For Communicating With Your Aging Parents About Nursing Home Abuse

Many family caregivers in North Carolina are shocked to learn that their aging parents or loved ones have been the victims of nursing home abuse. Why, they ask, didn't they just tell me what was happening?

Although some seniors may be unable to tell you about abuses due to mental and physical disabilities such as dementia or stroke, others may simply not know how to communicate how they are feeling to you. It can be extremely challenging to talk with the elder in your life - and in the cases of physical elder abuse, sexual elder abuse, verbal elder abuse, or financial elder abuse, communication is vital to keep your loved one safe in their adult living facility.

Here are some tips about how you can better communicate with you older person in your life:

Show respect. Address your loved on as an adult. Do not talk about them to others as if they are not in the room. If you talk to them as an equal, they will be more comfortable sharing information with you and keeping you informed of how they are really feeling.
Watch your phraseology. Have a conversation with your loved one, not an inquisition. Instead of telling them what to do, invite them to participate. They are not likely to open up to you if you are forcing them to. Let the conversation flow naturally, and give them a chance to share when they are ready.
Show sensitivity. Listen to their feelings and find the meaning behind their words. Don't simply project positive emotions if your loved one is voicing fears. Listen to their concerns and validate their emotions. If they say something that peaks your interest, gently ask them to go into more detail about how they are feeling and why.
Eliminate Distractions. When trying to have a productive conversation with your loved one, make sure that both their focus and your focus are at the issue at hand. It's impossible to talk if the elder is watching TV and you are also dealing with your kids. Concentrate on each other and what is being said. It doesn't matter if they talk to you at all if you aren't listening.

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