Lifestyle

How to Care for Your Aging Parents

Your parents have given you a lot over the years, right? The person you have become is thanks to them. Did they sacrifice their needs to ensure yours were met? Chances are, they did. That’s why you owe it to them to repay the favor. As they get older, they’re going to need you more. The transition from caregiver to needing care can be a hard one. That’s why you need to be sensitive with the amount of care you offer. How do you strike a balance? Here are a few tips about how you can best care for your elderly parents.

VISIT THEM

This may seem simple, but life often stops us from visiting our parents as often as we should. As your parent’s age, and are less able to get around, they’re going to depend on your visits more. If you visited once a week before, incorporate another visit into your schedule. Don’t make a big thing of this. Just ‘drop in’ on them. The visit will soon become a part of the routine. Seeing your face and having a little company is all they need.

TAKE AN INTEREST IN THEIR FINANCES

Talking of sensitive subjects; there may come a time when you have to take an interest in your parent’s finances. Again, broach the subject in a subtle way. The time may come when you need to take responsibility for those finances. It’s important you know what your parent’s wishes are. Ask casual, non-intrusive questions, about their savings and plans. It’s also important you protect your elderly parents from being scammed. The internet may be a discovery for them, and they stand at risk of falling prey to scams. If they mention something that sounds suspicious, don’t be afraid to find out more.

LOOK AFTER THEIR HEALTH

Your parents are going to encounter health problems as they age. It’s important you keep an eye on these issues. For various reasons, they may not be willing to admit when things get bad. They may not want to burden you. Or, they might be in denial about what’s happening. If a problem such as dementia strikes, they may not even be aware there’s anything wrong. It’s your job to notice problems. Keep an eye out for signs things aren’t right. It’s also important you know how to act if you do spot something. Will you take them in, or would it be better to get professional care? If you think the time for in house care is coming soon, try and have the conversation with them. Knowing what’s happening with their finances will help you with options.

As a person ages, they may lose complete control of certain functions, such as their bladder and bowel. The risk is higher for older women probably because of hormonal changes due to menopause, but incontinence can happen to men too. 

If your parents are facing such conditions that may take a toll on their mental and physical health, you need to get involved and talk to them about getting a home-care service so they can go about their lives more comfortably. You should also take the initiative to start the conversation about using aids, such as incontinence pads and undergarments if they aren’t already using them.

There are many ways you can be there for your parents if you can’t take care of them yourself. Getting involved in their affairs 

KEEP THEIR NEEDS IN MIND

It’s not always easy to decide what’s best for someone else. When making hard decisions, keep your parent’s needs and wishes in mind. If they’re no longer able to make decisions, take time to consider what they would have wanted. It’s tough, but hard decisions will be easier to make if you know it’s what they would want.

 

6 thoughts on “How to Care for Your Aging Parents

  1. It’s definitely essential to have a time with them. Try to manage your schedule and spend more with them. As they get old probably one the things they needed most is us being with them, so take that moment precious.

  2. I really insist that all of our youth should take care of their ageing parents just the way they took care of ourselves when we were kids.

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