Senior Issues Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 8
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SENIOR ISSUES NEWSLETTER
Vol. 3, No. 8
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"Senior Issues" is written by the following Penn State Cooperative Extension
agents who comprise the Northwest Pennsylvania Aging Cluster Team: Janice
Alberico (Lawrence County), Nancy Covert (Jefferson County), Holly Hedstrom
(Erie County), and Janet McDougall (Mercer County).
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GRANDPARENTS CAN MAKE GRAND CONTRIBUTION TO FAMILIES
If you think grandparents contribute less to families today than in the
nostalgic "good old days", you're believing a myth.
In reality, research continues to uncover crucial new roles grandparents fill
in modern families.
People live longer, so twice as many children actually get to know their
grandparents today. Grandparents have more money and mobility during their
retirement years, providing more chances to contribute to the family, and
especially to grandchildren.
For grandparents, their role is changing from one of obligation to one of
mutual companionship, particularly with grandchildren.
Grandparents don't just feel responsible to help raise grandchildren and
contribute economically (although it still can be the case), they share with
children like a companion.
Modern transportation and communication allow grandparents more contact with
families than ever before. Grandparents are able to take children out to do
mutually enjoyable activities, like trips to parks and ball games. These
kinds of activities stimulate a child's emotional and educational development.
Such activities take on added importance if a family is experiencing a
divorce. Grandparents often lend emotional stability to a changing family
situation and can take the children out of the household for a time.
Research also confirms that grandparents can have a positive influence on
children's learning and how children feel about themselves, even just by
listening to children and helping them develop their own communication skills.
These are increasingly important niches for grandparents, especially in the
growing numbers of single parent families.
In a fast changing world, grandparents offer a wealth of perspective and
historical insight, helping children understand their place in society and how
the world works.
Grandparents can provide a link with the past, as well as instill changeless
values providing support in a changing world.
Keeping in touch over long distances can enhance relationships between
families and grandparents, enriching both and making family reunions run
smoother. Here are some creative suggestions:
1. Try storytelling across the miles by tape recording stories and mailing
them to family. Tell your own stories or read favorites, but be sure to talk
personally to your listener.
2. Write up family news in a newsletter. Jazz it up with headlines
highlighting achievements made by grandchildren such as good grades, a new
job, getting new teeth or riding a bike.
3. Send young grandchildren letters on children's stationary. Write in
crayons or markers using symbols and bright colors. Even if a child cannot
read, they will still enjoy receiving mail from you.
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CAREGIVER CONCERNS
TRAFFIC LIGHT TIME MANAGEMENT
Since caregiving takes a lot of our time, we know that we must use time
wisely. The traffic light method of dividing time may offer you a new
perspective. Ask yourself, "Am I operating in the red, yellow, or green?"
Operating in the red means that we are spending time and energy on
non-essentials or things that arenUt very important. If we focus on trifles,
argue and keep picking over little things, we can make "mountains out of
molehills", as the old saying goes.
When we operate in the yellow, we may be getting some things done. And they
may even need to be done, sometime. However, weUre probably not prioritizing
our "to do" list. Think, what needs to be done the most? What absolutely
must be done first? It helps to number the top three necessities, 1, 2 and 3.
When you quickly get started on the #1 item on your prioritized list, you are
operating in the green. If you continue to follow through with #2 and #3, you
are really flashing your green light!
Taking care of the basic needs of your patient is, of course, your first
priority. When you tackle those jobs in a timely, efficient way, youUre
operating in the green.
Taking care of your own basic needs is important too. Working on getting some
respite, so you can replenish your energy, is also operating in the green.
Having even a few hours off on a regularly scheduled basis, can help you stay
out of the red. Those little things just wonUt seem important enough to
quibble about.
If we keep ourselves and others irritated by fussing over the little things,
weUre like a person on a hike with a stone in his/her shoe. If we donUt stop
to take it out, it will keep on irritating and spoil the pleasure of the hike.
Then weUre definitely operating in the red.
What can you do to get out of the red and yellow?
* Turn off your worry button. Worry is like a mental tornado. It whirls
around melancholy and bitterness, leaving a trail of chaos and exhaustion.
* Since a caregiver has no energy to toss away, use every bit of it on the
things that count.
* Take the time to decide on the things that count. List them and decide
what order they should be in: 1, 2, 3, etc.
* Stay focused on the worthwhile.
* Replenish your energy by getting away at least once a week. Look forward
to your time off. DonUt spend it worrying about how someone else does when
youUre not there.
* Live your life mostly in the present. The past is over. The future may be
uncertain. The present is where you get things done. ItUs where the action
is. Desire to make the most of it.
FIBER FACTS
Dietary fiber is the part of food from plant sources that resists breakdown by
the bodyUs digestive enzymes. ItUs found in vegetables, fruits, whole grain
products like breads and cereals, nuts, seeds and legumes.
According to research, we should consume about 20 - 25 grams of fiber each
day. That means using foods outlined in the Food Guide Pyramid. Food groups
where we find fiber are whole grain breads, cereals, pasta and rice - 6 to 11
servings. Vegetable servings 3 to 5 a day and fruit servings 2 to 4 a day,
help to round out our fiber needs with colorful variety. By making some
simple substitutes, you can easily get more fiber into your diet.
Try: Instead of:
___ ___________
whole grain white gread
baked potato mashed
brown rice white rice
unpeeled apple applesauce
whole fruit juice
popcorn potato chips
whole grain sweet cereal
more veggies more meat
dried fruits condy
WHY THINK FOOD SAFETY?
Taking care of the food you buy will reduce your food costs. This includes
storing foods safely until you are ready to use them, and properly storing
leftovers.
Poor food handling practices, lack of sanitation, insufficient cooking, and
improper storage of food often cause illness. Bacteria, temperature, and time
can work together in food to make a person ill. Older persons and persons
already ill are more susceptible to the adverse effects. Some food-borne
illnesses may resemble a bad cold or the flu. Some types last only a day,
hence people often mistake "food poisoning" for 24-hour flu. Some types are
more severe and can lead to paralysis and death. Food-borne illness is
dangerous as well as unpleasant. That is why it makes good sense to keep up
with new and old ideas about food safety and why it is important to keep food
and kitchen clean.
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GRANDPARENTS - ALL ABOUT YOU
If you are a grandparent, please tell us about your grandchildren. We plan to
add a grandparent page to Senior Issues and to develop some programs about
grandparenting. It would help us to know what kinds of subjects would be
interesting to you. (Please complete both sides of the survey.)
Please complete and return this survey to:
1. How many grandchildren do you have?
2. What are the ages of your grandchildren?
3. Do your grandchildren live in the same house with you?
4. Do you child-sit with your grandchildren?
5. How much time does it take to travel to your grandchildren's homes?
6. Do you spend holidays together?
7. Do you celebrate birthdays together?
8. Approximately how many times a year do you visit with your grandchildren?
9. Do you see one set of grandchildren more than others?
10. What ages/stages in your grandchild's development are/were the most
difficult for you?
11. Do you feel that you are permitted to correct your grandchildren?
12. How do you handle any behavior problems?
13. If you could have one thing different in your relationship with your
grandchildren, what would that be?
14. What is the most satisfying thing you and your grandchildren share?
15. What kinds of activities have you shared with your grandchildren?
Please check the following topics which would be of most interest to you:
______ Ideas for activities to share
______ Ideas for places to take grandchildren
______ My, how things have changed!
______ What to expect of children at different ages/stages
______ Behavior problems
______ Step grandparenting
______ Dealing with grandchildren during/after their parents
divorce
______ Teen grandchildren issues
______ Family differences
______ Dealing with conflicts
______ Competitive family members
______ What about the other grandparents?
______ Family traditions
______ Feeding grandchildren - Nutrition
______ Snacks
______ Overweight grandchildren
______ Sibling rivalry
______ Money and grandchildren
______ Gift giving
______ Grandchildren and homework
______ Who expects what from whom?
______ Balancing work and grandchildren
______ Live-in grandchildren
______ Live-in grandchildren and live-in parents
______ When grandmother/grandfather are the only caregiver
______ Grandchildren/grandparents who are handicapped
______ Multi cultural families
______ Long distance grandparenting
______ Grandparent energy/keeping up with the grandchildren and
needs
Please list other topics you would like to see included in a grandparent page.
Thank you for your help!
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and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have
questions about the physical access provided, please contact the extension
office in advance of your participation or visit.
This publication is available in alternative media on request.
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shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment
without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability,
performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state
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to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 201
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(814) 863-1150/TTY.
Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement
by the Cooperative Extension Service is implied.
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Reviewed by: Dan Lago, Ph.D.
Adult Development and Aging Specialist
Department of Agricultural and Extension Education
Penn State University, College of Agricultural Sciences
323 Agricultural Administration Building, University Park, PA 16802
Voice: (814) 863-7871
E-mail: djl@psu.edu