Senior Counseling Options
Counseling can be invaluable in helping the aging adult and family members adjust to changing realities in their lives.
Family Counseling
An abrupt change in physical or mental function often introduces challenges which require quick and difficult decisions.
Family members often struggle to understand and accept the role reversal and relationship change that can accompany the aging process. Complicated and emotional pain can make adapting to a loved one’s physical and mental decline difficult. I teach communication and coping techniques to better interact so everyone’s needs are met.
How I Support You
The decision making process can be emotionally challenging when multiple family members are included. As a trained facilitator, I offer family group discussions to provide a calm, reality-based approach in a safe space for each member to honestly share personal fears, motives, hopes and goals for their loved one and for their own role in helping the loved one. Holding family meetings allows all members to share their feelings and concerns. Current challenges lead to open conversation for solutions and care options. Caregiving responsibilities can be discussed and negotiated should they remain within the family unit. Whether the outcome of the counseling session determines the family will manage the care plan or utilize outside care management services, I will guide you through the process and keep everyone focused on solutions and options to improve the care recipient’s quality of life.
Book a family 90 minute family meeting (Via zoom or in person)
Life Transition Counseling
The aging process sneaks up on us. Some people sail through while others are not so lucky. Tasks that once seemed easy are now difficult. We may start to forget everyday things. The body doesn’t work or feel the way it once did. And all these changes can usher in powerful feelings of helplessness and grief. As new challenges loom, there are many risks which can create worry and stress. Aging adults may need help, but adult children often struggle to know how to suggest a needed change to prevent a potential accident or crisis. This is where life transition counseling can be very useful to help aging adults or their family members to prepare for the future.
How I Support You
Fear, frustration, anger, sadness and loss are just some of the feelings to recognize and help care recipients overcome. I engage with my clients to discuss goals and ways to maintain independence. Unless there is a medical event that requires rapid change, most people who require assistance can ease into it at a safe, comfortable pace.
If circumstances require immediate change to living accommodations outside the home, I refer and partner with relocation specialists to assist families relocate their loved one to a residential care facility offering assisted living and/ or memory neighborhoods.
Book a FREE date and time with me for your 15 minute Get Acquainted Call.
Dementia Counseling / Alzheimer’s Disease
I offer dementia counseling, educational resources for the individual and family members, caregiver support and tips for coping and managing the challenging behaviors associated with this illness. My care managers promote a safe, trusting environment for the care recipient to share painful feelings and express emotions associated with frustration, depression, anger and grief.
How I Support You
I focus on socialization, validation and reminiscence, and using a redirecting approach, I provide purpose filled activities and specific communication techniques to reduce stress, frustration, agitation and isolation.
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias is normally extremely distressing for the individual and life-changing for the entire family. The individual, family members and friends often fall into a state of denial. A combination of counseling and education can help get you through this often long and difficult journey.
Coping and Communicating
The fear of the unknown — how I help
I offer practical advice on how to cope with the personality and behavioral changes that occur with memory loss. Family members are coached how to: recognize and use proper verbal cues; be active listeners; exhibit patience; avoid sarcasm and offensive language; respect the other individual’s point of view; stay positive in outlook, manner and words; and always treat the demented individual with dignity and respect.
As a family member, you will be empowered with resources and information that can relieve stress and overwhelm. I walk along this journey with you and provide valuable tools to help make this an easier process. Engagement
Therapeutic tools and exercise are essential to keep the mind active and healthy. Fun and active ways are tailored to create pleasant days for clients.
Those isolated are helped to stay engaged through zoom video chats, social media, sending “thinking of you” or funny cards, celebrating special occasions, watching movies or a specialty show together and then discussing them, etc.
Book a FREE date and time with me for your 15 minute Get Acquainted Call.
End of Life Counseling
It can be frightening to think about our own mortality. But it is the final phase of our aging process and we have the choice—if we take it— of how we want this stage to go. Making end-of-life plans in advance ensures your wishes are honored and makes a challenging time a little easier on your loved ones.
How I Support You
I offer caring support and therapeutic comfort care to assist the individual and loved ones in planning for and moving through the end of life process. This support is in the form of: Providing recommendations and resources for palliative care or hospice. Listening to and exploring each individual’s end of life fears based on unfinished business and unresolved trauma.
Offering bereavement resources for the aging adult, family members, friends and caregivers. I take every opportunity to promote dignity and ensure a peaceful end of life journey.
Book a FREE date and time with me for your 15 minute Get Acquainted Call.
Grief Counseling
The loss of family and friends or fear around one’s own terminal diagnosis produces feelings of heartache and sorrow. Many seniors struggle with the grieving process and cannot recover without help. I offer support and therapeutic comfort care to assist the individual struggling with any aspect of the grieving process.
How I Support You
Counseling interventions help bereaved individuals to learn to independently handle new day-to-day activity.
By using reminiscing techniques to discuss the joys and challenges of life and encourage engagement opportunities, I have found that listening with the heart and showing compassion for the pain others experience helps them to ease the pain of grief.
If the grieving person needs help around the home, I provide referrals for companionship, home and personal care. If a relocation is in question, guidance is given regarding that. Every individual’s grieving process is unique, and I am skilled at helping clients get through it as best as possible.
The goal is to lead the bereaved to find a way to remember the deceased while feeling comfortable reinvesting in life.
Book a FREE date and time with me for your 15 minute Get Acquainted Call.
Validation Counseling
Validation counseling entails personalized work to help the disoriented older adult overcome specific challenges to attain their goals. Common challenges include: depression, anxiety, trauma, addictions, phobias, compulsions, memory loss, chronic illness, mobility decline, and grief.
How I support You
Validation is based on the notion that there is a reason behind all behavior. As a gerontologist, I develop a trusting relationship to present an opportunity for clients to honestly share deepest fears and often unfinished business, which initially may be the cause of challenging behavior. The truth is accepted and met by compassionate and non judgemental listening. The goal is not to provide therapy, but a safe environment to allow one to often verbally grieve a situation that has haunted them for years. Together, we explore ways to re-establish purpose in life and provide opportunities to reconnect with community.