Know a resident's rights

    I think as our parents age, one might assume they no longer have wishes, dreams and CHOICES. We might forget that they lived — and still are living — a full life and the ability to choose is still very much present, whether they are living in their own home or in a long-term care facility.
    As an advocate for the “mature,” “seasoned” population, with a focus on those living in long-term care facilities, I want to make sure that even if it may feel like a bad or poor decision to me or their loved ones, it remains their decision. We have all made a poor decision, however, they are still ours to make. I know as I have gotten older, I worry less, seek joy more and pick my battle. It bothers the heck out of my mother, but it is my choice.
    For most of us, we may make a hundred choices in one day, from the beginning of our day until we lay our head back down to sleep. Some may become so much of a habit that we do not even realize we made a choice: one cup of coffee or two, make a lunch or buy out today, and so on.
    As we age, many of those choices diminish. We might struggle to get in and out of a vehicle; we have our noon meal at home. We may not even have the ability to drive anymore, so that begins to limit outings to only when a family member or good friend is available.

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