10 Ways to Take Care of Your Aging Parents
22 Feb 2018
Your parents have been there for you through all of life’s ups and downs. They have cared for you from the day you were born. Now, as they age, the tables are beginning to turn and it is your turn to help care for them. These 10 things will help you care for your parents no matter how busy your schedule may be.
- Modify Your Home to Accommodate Your Parents’ Needs
This may involve widening hallways and doors to accommodate walkers, scooters, and other assisting devices; eliminating clutter; adding ramps into your home, and installing grab bars in bathrooms.
- Ask for Help.
It’s great to want to take care of your parents, but you must also care for yourself and your family too. Ask for help from other family members when your life gets too hectic.
- Invest in a GPS Elderly Locator
GPS tracking for dementia patients is essential. These devices can help you locate your parents quickly if they become disoriented and wander off. Of course, GPS tracking for the elderly in general is a good idea because you never know what will happen and want to be able to find your parents fast when emergencies strike.
- Encourage Independence.
One of the most difficult things to do is to find balance between caring for your parent and helping your parent maintain independence. They need to do as much as possible for themselves, even if it is faster for you to do it.
- Get Their Input.
It feels like a lot to take one when you decide to take care of your aging parents. It’s a lot for them to take on too. After all, they were the ones who took care of you. Don’t make them feel like invalids. Give them validation by asking what they want.
- Consider Hiring Professional Help.
Sometimes, the medical, physical, and emotional needs of your parents are beyond your abilities to provide. Consider bringing in home health nurses or other professionals to help provide care.
- Provide Opportunities for Socialization.
Whether it involves going to church, participating in community activities, shopping outings, or other things; the social development of your parents is as important as it is for you and your children.
- Encourage Fitness and Nutrition.
A healthy diet is the cornerstone to healing and long life just as exercise is. Work with your parents’ physicians to come up with diet and fitness routines that are best for them.
- Volunteer Together.
Research suggests that older adults who volunteer experience better physical and emotional health. It’s an activity you can do together that will help with bonding while improving your parents’ health.
- Consider a Companion Pet.
Pets have been known to reduce blood pressure while reducing stress, encouraging social interaction, and boosting levels of physical activity for aging adults. More importantly, they help to reduce feelings of depression and loneliness making them an excellent fit for aging parents.
But above all, the best things you can do to care for your aging parents is to let them know that you are there for them and that you love them.
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