Monday, May 31, 2010

Unresolved Past Isues Between Caregivers and their Elderly Loved Ones

True reconciliation does not consist in merely forgetting the past.

Nelson Mandela


Unresolved past issues may manifest in physical and psychological symptoms, such as anxiety, shortness of breath, panic attacks, restlessness, agitation, depression, insomnia, and nightmares. Generalized pain or pain that frequently changes location and is not alleviated with sufficient pain medication are other expressions of unresolved issues. Being afraid to die and conmcerns about afterlife also suggests individuals are unsettled about their past.

Sometimes individuals who are struggling with issues from their past may have feelings of dispair or feel that they have been abandoned by God, deity, or deities. They may refuse to take medicines secondary to the belief that they deserve to suffer--to be in pain and to be punished. They may also refuse pain medications beause hey want to be alert and maintain some sense of control of their faculties.

I'll write more about behavioral signs of spiritual unrest tomorrow. Happy Memorial Day, and thanks to all who have served and sacrificed to keep us safe and free--including allo family members who have worried and prayed and suffered the loss of loved ones in the pursuit of freedom!

Sincerely,
Sandra - Caregiver Guru for the Caregiver Generation

No comments:

Post a Comment