ELDER COUNSELING

Because Shelly is officially “an Elder” and has experienced and navigated many issues he sees older clients struggle with, he has special insights into the challenges elder issues can present to individuals, couples and their families.  

Some of us have thought about and even planned personally and financially for our elder years, while others have not.  Some of us are dealing with issues and losses, both physical and emotional, beyond our control. Loved ones may have died before their time, financial choices may leave us insecure and medical issues must be dealt with. Some memories make us happy with the life we’ve led and are leading. Other memories may leave us with pain and regret.  In later years, many will take an inventory of the life they’ve led. Some may find counseling helpful to put old issues to rest and deal with the future.

Have you planned for becoming elderly or are you needing to make practical choices now, “before it is too late?”  Or are you stuck with choices made and not made? Are you examining the life you have lived in order to give it meaning?

Shelly offers space to discuss the issues and choices pending as we age individually and as couples. What questions must we answer about our own aging?  There are the practical issues about medical situations, continuing or discontinuing working, financial concerns, issues with adult children, downsizing and possible relocation or about various forms of independent living and/or long-term care facilities.  

Couples may have different thoughts as to how to live their future lives together. Spouses may be anticipating active lifestyles together but may also be encountering or planning for differing levels of health conditions that require professional  attention.

It’s not uncommon for adult children to weigh in as to how aging parents should live out their lives.  Aging parents having multiple adult children may find their children may or may not be able to work together rationally.  It can be useful for adult children of aging parents to discuss their concerns with a counselor. Parents don’t need more stress in their twilight years.

Shelly recognizes that the aging passage is also a spiritual passage, whatever religious faith, secular persuasion or ethnic heritage a client may have. He welcomes working with you on your spiritual passage.