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Resource Highlight: “How to Be an Effective Advocate for Aging Parents”
Are you tired of how-to articles that give vague caregiving advice? We don’t love them either. That’s why Lifespan Respite WA is featuring this article from AARP as a Resource Highlight—it has details, lots of ideas and action steps. We have added some additional resources on this topic.
How to Be an Effective Advocate for Aging Parents, by Amy Goyer, describes six abilities needed to be an effective advocate. She writes “As family caregivers, we play many roles: scheduler, money manager, house cleaner, health aide, nurse, navigator, nurturer and more. Perhaps the most important role is advocate, as we ensure the best possible care for our loved ones when they are vulnerable…You probably already have the skills to be effective; you just need to develop and apply them in new ways.”
Ms. Goyer, who is AARP’s family and caregiving expert, identifies abilities and skills you can practice in daily life:
- Building relationships
- Observational skills
- Organized even with constant change
- Curiosity–and two more!
Within each ability, she lists the elements and activities family caregivers need to understand what loved ones need and want, and how to make that happen. Read the whole article: How to Be an Effective Advocate for Aging Parents.
AARP has an entire section of their website devoted to family caregivers. Check out AARP’s caregiver resources!
Family caregivers may also find it helpful to learn more about how to be assertive, rather than being seen as aggressive when advocating. These resource links from Nemour TeensHealth are about using assertiveness to advocate, to speak up for yourself or others honestly and respectfully. Youth and adults alike can practice assertiveness, a skill that can be hard to use when someone is stressed.
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