It Takes a Village

Article Submitted by Jyoti Sharp, Co-Director of Windhorse Family & Elder Care. She can be reached at 303-786-9313. Visit their website at www.WindHorseCare.com

We've all heard the expression "it takes a village to raise a child". Why do these simple words resonate with something deep inside us? Perhaps it brings back memories of a time, when we grew up in a community of neighbors and friends and felt the impact they had on our lives. Or perhaps we've only heard stories of how it was before we became such a mobile society, with our family and friends spread across the country.

Caring for anyone is best done in community. Navigating the world of aging can be confusing and frustrating. Family members courageously take on the task of trying to walk with their elders through the maze of doctors, medications, therapists, institutions, insurance, Medicare law, elder law...the task is daunting. Often family members do this from a distance of hundreds of miles, hiring caregivers, making appointments, listening to the frustration of their parent as they've returned from yet another confusing doctor's visit. Overwhelmed by the maze of responsibility, family members can begin to feel alone and resentful.

We believe no one should be in this maze alone. It is often difficult for elders who have been independent and self-reliant to accept support, even though there are growing and valuable resources available. At Windhorse Family & Elder Care, our well-trained, experienced staff is particularly skilled at working with the psychological implications of loss, which all elders face. By partnering with elders and their families, we become deeply attuned to their needs. We work with clients to maintain a familiar environment and routine, tailoring support to each person's needs and preferences. The key is healthy communication, ensuring an integrated approach to care among the community surrounding the elder. This enables elders, who often suffer from depression, grief, isolation, confusion, anxiety and other mental health challenges, to address the unfinished business of a lifetime. Most importantly, we listen and learn what they have to teach us about who they are and what they need, encouraging them to take their rightful place in the circle of care.