About Crises

There are several good reasons for planning ahead and learning about eldercare options and issues. One of the major ones is because of what happens when you don't.

When people don't plan, they end up reacting in a crisis. The problem with that is, when we are in crisis, it is hard to plan because, physiologically, we are at an emotionally heightened state. The more we are in crisis, the more our decision making ability is impaired, the harder it is to process information, and therefore the harder it is to plan or act.

It is not that we can't; it is just that it becomes more difficult. Sometimes, depending on the difficulty, though it does mean we shut down--this is what happens when we are in shock.

So what will throw caregivers into crisis? Admission to care of a loved one. A parent having a stroke. Whe someone becomes palliative or on life support. When grief, fear, anxiety, guilt, burnout is running us.

We are more at risk, too, depending on our own situations. If we are part of the sandwich generation. If we are stressed at work. Money concerns. Divorce or separation. Moving to a new city. Your husband leaves the toilet seat up. ( Okay, mayb4e the last one is a bit of an exaggeration. But a cold, wet tush in the middle of the night is a shock, if nothing else.)

So plan ahead.