Raising A Parent: Recommendation #40 Protect your Charge

Recommendation # 40: Be prepared to do what’s necessary to protect your charge

Safety above all else takes priority when caring for a loved one. Due to safety concerns and for the welfare of his mother, the author made the conscious decision to place her in a secure and safe environment. After seeking out the most appropriate environment, consulting the advice of the administrator of the dwelling, and collecting additional resources, the author had enough detailed information to present the matter to his mother in a respectable fashion. Worth noting is the consideration of what is valuable to the person, whether it is religion, spiritual, culture, or ethnicity these values must be part of the decision making component to assure compliance. On that note, the author searched for the environment best suited for his mother, a Jewish senior residence to promote compliance and self-preservation of what is most valuable to her beliefs. Another pertinent point to consider is who the final decision maker is. Given the fact of the high level of competence the author’s mother still possess, the final decision regarding relocation to a congregated dwelling is left up to her. This is exemplary on respecting one’s autonomy with decision making in the later years. If the author had taken the final decision regarding placing his mother in a congregate housing without her consent, the end result would have be devastating to her pride, self-efficacy, health, and their relationship. Although his mother was in disbelief with the thought of moving into a senior living residence, I believe, the manner in which the author presented the information opened the door for a review of the present situation with her finances and compliance. The author did not choose to minimize the situation of her financial predicament but instead presented the information for review and consideration which as stated was the overall determinant of her decision. In sum, honesty with the person is vital towards promoting compliance. (Word count 312)

Author: Kerline Leonard