Mom is in a nursing home and I desperately want my children to visit her, but they are reluctant. How can I encourage them?

The idea of going into a nursing home can be very frightening for children, no matter what age they are. Start slowly with weekly visits; limit them to no more than 20 minutes, and go at times when your children and your mom aren’t tired. Bring something for the children to do while they are there—a game or a book, something that will help keep them busy. Encourage your children to take pictures of themselves or artwork they may have done that can be put in your mother’s room. It may take a bit of time to help your children feel more comfortable, but it’s well worth the effort.

 

I’m the only caregiver for my mother. When I’m not around she gets depressed. I’ve heard that pets can help relieve depression. Could one really help my mother?

Be very careful about introducing a pet into your mother’s home without being sure that she is capable of caring for it. Pets are wonderful companions for many people, but their care can quickly become a burden. Has your mother ever looked after a pet before? Will she be able to walk a dog or change the litter for a cat? You should take all these things into consideration—in addition to your mother’s feelings on the subject—before going ahead. 

Tags: cat, children, depression, dog, grandchildren, nursing home, pet, visit, visitors