The Best Ways To Support Your Parents As They Age
It can be such a strange experience for us when we start to notice that our parents are aging. It definitely creeps upon us. One moment, they’re still checking in on us and wanting to take care of us, and before we know it we need to reverse roles with them. When this happens, you’ll want to make sure that you’re able to support them as best as you can. In this blog post, we’re going to look at some of the best ways that you can do it.
Be Mindful of Their Health
First of all, you’re going to want to make sure that you’re being as mindful as possible with their health. You’ll start to notice that they’re aging without you really knowing it. They won’t be as strong and able as they once were, so staying on top of medical appointments is key here. Make sure they have the medication they need, that they get their hearing aid batteries checked regularly, and that their eye care is up to date. This is going to help to keep them as healthy as possible.
Take Them About and About
Alongside the various medical appointments they have, they may also want to do their own shopping or head out on day trips. This is something that you can help with if they aren’t able to do it alone. You can also ensure that they socialize and get to spend enough time with friends too.
Provide Any Support They Need
You may find that they need a bit more help with other things around the home, too. From their cleaning and different household chores to any personal care, this might be something that you want to support with. Or, you can look into a specialist service to come in and help too.
Spend Quality Time With Them
It’s also key for you to start thinking about spending more time with them. It’s a known fact that many elderly people struggle with loneliness, so this is something that you can remedy. It’s important for you to make sure that you’re having quality time together and enjoying life with them. At some point, they will be gone, and you don’t want to look back and wish that you’d had more time when you can use the time you have now!
Listen to Their Needs
Finally, you also need to make sure that you’re taking the time to listen to them. As much as you may want to protect them and care for them, very much taking on the more parental role as time goes by, what they want matters too. You may find that they become more stubborn and strong-minded as they age, which can make this feel like a battle. But remember, it’s important for you to take their feelings on board and not just make decisions for them. Listen to how they feel and what they want, and the two of you can then make decisions going forward that everyone agrees with.