A Guide To Accepting Your Parents' Mortality

There comes a time in your life when it finally hits you that your parents aren’t going to live forever. When you were a child, they seemed like they were so active and vibrant. You had no reason to suspect they would ever not be there for you. But it’s only when you become an adult that the concept of their mortality becomes real.

You look back at family photos from your childhood and realize how much they’ve aged since then. Maybe they are starting to suffer the ailments of old age, such as bad backs and hearing loss. Or perhaps they are at the point where they are starting to need full time care.

It’s important to come to terms with the fact that your parents are going to die eventually, but without letting it consume you. After all, they may still have several years of life left in them. You want to make the most of this time without being consumed by premature grief.

If the idea of your folks passing away is too much to bear, the tips below will help you accept your parents’ mortality. 

Focus on living

The average life expectancy in the United States is around 82 years. Suppose your father is 72 years old and has roughly ten years of life left. It’s not helpful to fixate on the death part of this equation. Instead, focus on the fact that you have an entire decade ahead of you, in which you can spend as much time with him as possible. Being aware of their eventual death doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It can be the motivation you need to make the most of your remaining time together, reliving your childhood and making new memories. This way, when they eventually go, you will not feel like your time was wasted.

Make reparations

If you are holding onto any resentment or grievances regarding either of your parents, you should make an effort to patch things over as soon as possible. The worst thing that could happen is that they pass suddenly, before either of you get the chance to heal. Talk to them about how you’re feeling and try to find a way to resolve the conflict. Life is too short to hold grudges.

Look after their health

Science is a long way off from immortality, but there are still ways you can prolong your parents lives. If their health is in decline, you can help boost their vitality by recommending a few important lifestyle changes. Encourage them to be more physically active by going out for walks or swims with them. Not only will this boost their fitness and immunity, but it will also serve to strengthen your relationship. If they don’t have the best diet, try to help them eat a little better by cooking a healthy meal for them once a week or ordering their groceries for them. And if you need a little assistance, consider speaking to a senior care advisor.

By following this advice, hopefully you will find it easier to come to terms with your parents' mortality. Remember to enjoy life while it lasts and stop fixating on death.