By: Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC, Aging Life Care Professional
I am going to give you some tips to keep love the focus throughout your entire life and not let the challenges of aging get in the way, keeping in mind that love is the most important factor in the lives of millions of people everywhere. When I ask new clients what gives their life meaning and value, it is usually the love of a family member or partner. I think that love is essential to keep at the center of any challenges that life might put in your way. Think of older couples making the hard decision to sell their home of fifty years and move into a retirement community. It means that they must discard many of the treasures that they have collected, all with meaning and memories. However, if you keep the focus on “what do we need now?” and “what is most important?” the letting go will be just a little easier.
In the aging process, it can progress to total dependency, brought on by a progressive illness like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease to one or both partners. Or maybe the burdens of living with diabetes or pulmonary illnesses for you or your partner have taken over as a central theme to your daily living.
The goal is not to let that aging or health-related diagnosis get in the way of your relationship. The goal then becomes making sure that there is always a priority for joy and fun, balancing joy with the extra care time it takes to manage some of these age-related challenges.
Tips for Keeping Love in Your Day:
Express Yourself
Start and end every day with “I love you!”
Prioritize Touch
Sexual activity and touch are important to human health; it improves the immune system, reduces the risk of prostate cancer, contributes to better cardiac health, and more. If this is an issue for you, talk to your medical or mental health providers for ideas. Those deprived of physical touch are often more sickly.
Practice Self-Care
If you have to provide care for your partner, find time every day for just “you time”; a walk with a friend, time alone in the garden, go to a movie, play a round of golf, go for a swim, etc. Never give up all that you enjoy just because your love pulls you to care 24/7. If you do, you will not have the joy or energy to give your partner what is needed and your own health will suffer. Unfortunately, it is often the well spouse/partner who is the first to pass away because of this problem. Join a support group to keep yourself in check.
Make Your Environment Age-Friendly
If the “stuff” in your life prevents you from getting the level of support you need, or the social interaction that actually attributes to good health, it might be time to bring in a professional Care Manager/Aging Life Care Professional to work with the two of you in making a challenging decision like moving to supportive living. That would mean moving with what you value most for the best quality of life, letting go of the “stuff” and focusing on the important aspects of the here and now.
Enlist a Professional
This journey we call life is a roller coaster with joys and challenges. If this is a challenge, find an Aging Life Care Manager (www.AgingLifeCare.org) to help you focus on the “love” in life and resolve the challenges with a professional navigator.