| Has your parent recently moved to a more social | | | | The best way to counteract this is to periodically |
| environment and is now talking in a negative way? | | | | enjoy lunch with your parent and their new |
| Does your loved one acquired a pessimistic | | | | friends. By noticing the instigators of the |
| perspective? When individuals are exposed to | | | | pessimism you can interject your optimism during |
| negative thinking people, you simply pick up that | | | | conversation. This will immediately be noticed. |
| perspective. We think of this happening in young | | | | Once you have your parent alone, let them know |
| children, but all ages are also susceptible. | | | | how sad and resentful their new acquaintance |
| You have finally convinced your elderly loved one | | | | seems to be. Speak of them with empathy and |
| to move out of their home, and solitary living | | | | understanding. Let your loved one know that they |
| situation, into a more social atmosphere. The idea | | | | may be a nice person but all that negativity must |
| that they are now interacting with people their | | | | be difficult for the group to handle. This may |
| own age is exciting for them and you. You now | | | | sound like dealing with your children, and it should. |
| notice an unhealthy change in their attitude. Your | | | | We are all influenced by our peers, but we don't |
| parent now seems to talk about most things with | | | | all realize what is happening, very slowly, to our |
| a negative connotation. Phrases like "this | | | | attitude. Elderly people want to be accepted and |
| generation is completely out of control," now | | | | get along. They are making changes in their life |
| coming from your mild and meek mother is | | | | and are trying to `go with the flow.' |
| surprising. How did this happen? We all become | | | | Keep in mind that you can't control what is going |
| what we are around. If you are spending time | | | | on with the residents, however resentment and |
| with people that are expanding their knowledge | | | | fear spread pretty fast. Your goal has been to |
| by reading or learning computer skills, your | | | | relocate your parent to a safe and healthy |
| conversation with them is probably about authors | | | | environment. Stopping in to see them on a regular |
| and the internet. If you have lunch each day with | | | | bases is essential, but remember to call them first. |
| a nay-sayer you may become a complainer | | | | You want them safe, but you also want them to |
| yourself. | | | | maintain their independence and mutual respect. |