As our parents start to get older and show signs of being less capable than they were, it can feel tough for us all. It can be shocking when we see that our parents may need our support instead of the other way around. So this is where you may find that taking good care of them is important. If you want to make sure that you’re supporting your parents well as they age, here’s what you can do.
Go to Doctors Appointments With Them
First of all, you’re going to want to make sure that you’re able to get to any doctor’s appointments they may have. If you’re going to support them, you need to know where they are at with their health. From general check-ups to specialist appointments, dentist appointments, and things like hearing or eyesight checks, there are many areas for you to cover here. You should also look to be aware of what medication they need and what schedule they’re on.
Help Them Adjust
The next port of call is to make sure that they have everything in place that they need. As they’re getting older, it’s likely that they will need to make adjustments to their everyday life in order to be comfortable. They may benefit from getting fireside chairs for comfort, as well as things like a stair lift or rails around the home. It could also be important to ensure that their home is well-lit to avoid any accidents too. You may find that you need to make more adjustments as you go, but this can be something that you work on over time.
Run Errands for Them
You can also look to support them by taking on some of the more physical roles that they would have done for themselves. Running errands for them, getting their shopping, making appointments, and even doing cleaning around the home could be what they need here. If they are less able to do it themselves, you may be making life so much easier for them by stepping in to support them.
Spend Time With Them
However, supporting them isn’t always just about the thing you do for them and how you care. It can also be about just being there and spending time with them. The elderly can get lonely – especially as things change for them. So spending quality time with them can be important here.
Be Their Rock in Hard Times
Ultimately, you may find that this is a scary time for everyone involved. It’s never nice to know that your parents are getting older. You may feel sad about it and they may find the adjustment period hard. They may even be stubborn and in denial about it! So expect there to be hard times along the way – but it can be something that draws you closer. So here, look at being their rock during the hard times. Having a close bond and looking to embrace the season of life you’re in could just be what makes this easier on you all.
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