MINISTERIAL TRAINING CENTER: TRAINING DISCOURSES

Coping with Transition Anxiety

Typically, well-meaning family members, wanting the best for their loved one (and sometimes, trying to reduce their own feelings of guilt), offer reassurances, pointing out all the positive aspects of making the move to a new home.

While such responses are understandable, they are not always the best strategy. As a ULC minister, you may be asked to come in and help ease this transition anxiety. The elderly person is apt to feel misunderstood; after all, he or she is grieving the loss of independence and may perceive this as the beginning of the end. It’s important that you be aware of this.

A better way to deal with this might be to acknowledge the feelings straight out. “Mom, you seem angry about this; tell me what you're thinking." Or "Dad, you seem really stressed about the move, what's your worry?" You can take the role of being the facilitator between the older parent and the adult child, opening lines of communication, OR you discuss with the adult child the possible needs of the parent making the transition and make suggestions for how their fears can be helped.

Acknowledging the person's feeling and giving them the opportunity to voice their concerns could help address misconceptions about the new environment and help pave the way for a smoother transition.

Roben Phillips
ElderOp Inc.
(623) 566-3578
www.elderop.com
help@elderop.com