Dear Counsellor:

My mother is elderly and these days she is quiet, soft-spoken and immobile. Her memory is not good and she gets irritable at times. She is unable to find her way around the house. I am afraid that she may fall and break her hip. At times, I feel overwhelmed with the caregiving tasks.

- Annette

Dear Annette:

Taking care of oneself or another person is challenging work. You have to work to get money to pay your personal bills. You also have to supervise the care of your mother. The middle-age population is called the sandwich generation, as they have to take care of their parents and their children.

If you have siblings, you need to enlist their help in taking care of your mother. Caring for your mother entails an emotional component, a financial component and a physical component. Money is needed to pay the bills and salary of a caregiver. These days, there are caregivers who are trained to take care of the elderly. Employ one to assist you.

Caregiving takes an emotional toll on you as you watch your mother deteriorate before your eyes and there is nothing you can do but make her comfortable in spite of the challenges. Caregivers need to have a support network to help them cope.

It is good to teach your children that they should optimise their health care and start saving from the day they receive their first pay cheque.

Dear Counsellor:

My son is eight years old and has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. He was assessed by a psychologist and a child psychiatrist. Dialogue was established with the teacher who instituted an educational intervention programme.

I was taught effective parenting strategies and behaviour-modification techniques. My son was counselled and given Concerta. I am glad to report that he is more focused, more attentive and less distractible.

The teacher and I are very amazed at the transformation. I have to recommend parents to have their children assessed and treated.

- Marion

Dear Marion:

I am glad that the treatment programme has worked. I find it gratifying to work with children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Their improvement is remarkable and the family is happy. ADHD is a condition in which children are hyperactive, inattentive, unfocused and distractible with temper tantrums. These individuals can be diagnosed in childhood, adolescence or adulthood.

Therapy is part of the treatment and medication works well in many patients. Educational intervention is essential for students. The guidance counsellor, teacher and special educator have to work with the student and family to optimise care of the student.