Fathers Day May be Good Time to Consider if Dad
Needs Help He Wont Ask For
Recent studies show men don't seek psychological and
physical help as easily as women
June 15, 2009 - A new tie or golf balls are a nice
gesture on Father's Day, but this year Dad might need a gift society has
conditioned him not to ask for- HELP! This could mean a helper to do
simple tasks dad can no longer manage, or a companion to help dad
socialize and relieve depression and loneliness. Recent studies show men
don't seek psychological and physical help as easily as women because
our culture preaches to boys early on that asking for help is not
masculine but rather a sign of weakness.
"We see many elderly men needing the most help but
they are the last to ask for it," says Peter Ross, CEO and founder of
Senior Helpers, which claims to be the nation's fastest growing provider
of in-home senior care.
"An elderly man could be suffering from deep
depression or a physical ailment, but he's too proud to seek
assistance."
Just ask Mark Snider from Charlotte, North
Carolina. His 83-year-old dad, Rod Snider, had symptoms of dementia for
several months before he finally told his family he had a problem. Rod
was having difficulty sleeping and was becoming forgetful. His family
blamed old age.
Mark says his dad suddenly turned over his car keys
and said, "Son I no longer feel I should drive." Mark hired Senior
Helpers for his dad, 24/7, to help him back to bed during the night so
he would not accidentally fall, take his medicine on time, go for walks
and even work with Scrabble pieces and math flash cards to keep his mind
sharp. Rod died last month from an aggressive form of dementia, just
months after he was officially diagnosed.
Consider this:
● A 2008 study from the University of Cincinnati
and the Medical University of South Carolina finds in the U.S. boys
learn early on that men should be strong, independent, tough and self-
reliant. The study calls the contrast between men's and women's help-
seeking behavior a "growing concern."
● In the U.S., men die, on average, close to
seven years younger than women and have higher rates of the 15 leading
causes of death. A study by Clark University and Boston College says,
"improving professional help seeking is one obvious way to better men's
lives."
● A new national poll conducted by Senior
Helpers found 70% (7 out of 10) adult children would overwhelmingly
choose their mom over their dad to move in with them if their elderly
parents could not take care of themselves. Ross believes, " children
think of mom first because she's more likely to ask for help while dad
appears independent and in control."
Solution:
"The best way to get dad help is to offer it with
an emphasis on problem solving rather than emotion," adds Ross. "Since
men are competitive and success oriented, the best way to approach Dad
is to acknowledge the courage it takes to ask for and accept assistance
and then point out why it is a good idea."
Ross also advises basing your offer to help dad on
these warning signs:
● Difficulty getting around. Falls are the
leading cause of death and injury for Americans over age 65.
● Memory loss. It's one thing to forget where
the keys are. It's another to forget if you took your medicine, left the
stove on, if you forget the day or your location. Severe memory loss
could be a sign of severe dementia.
● Change in appearance or behavior. Weight loss
could indicate a senior is not eating properly. A lack of hygiene or
unkempt appearance may be a sign of depression or the inability to
perform the basic activities of daily living.
About Source:
Senior Helpers
Senior Helpers connects professional caregivers with seniors who wish to
live at home as opposed to a nursing home or assisted living facility.
The company has 260 franchises in 37 states and offers a wide range of
personal and companion care services to assist seniors living
independently with a strong focus on quality of life for clients and
peace of mind for their families. Senior Helpers strives to be the
leading companion and personal care provider that offers dependable,
consistent and affordable home care.
June 15, 2009 - A new tie or golf balls are a nice
gesture on Father's Day, but this year Dad might need a gift society has
conditioned him not to ask for- HELP! This could mean a helper to do
simple tasks dad can no longer manage, or a companion to help dad
socialize and relieve depression and loneliness. Recent studies show men
don't seek psychological and physical help as easily as women because
our culture preaches to boys early on that asking for help is not
masculine but rather a sign of weakness.