A Guide To Caring For Your Elderly Parents
Sometimes, it feels as though we blink and those around us get older before our eyes.
For example, it happens most often with our children, who are tiny babies one moment, and packing for university the next. However, many adults feel similarly shocked when they realise that their own parents have reached their golden years, especially as this can often trigger a role-reversal of sorts. After all, it often means they take on a caring position for those who have always cared for them.
Photo by Sven Mieke on Unsplash
Caring for your elderly parents is rewarding, but it is also challenging, especially if they have complex needs to cater to. With that in mind, here are some top tips for caring for them during this time in their lives!
Find a nursing home they’ll love. When your parent is no longer able to age in place, finding a suitable nursing home is key to ensuring that they get the care they deserve. There are many different things to take into account when finding a facility, such as the level of care they offer, their location, pricing, and the staff themselves. Generally speaking, the more research you carry out, the more you’re able to protect your loved one in a nursing home.
You should also make sure that you stop by the home in person with your parent before their move-in date. This gives them the chance to familiarise themself with the place that they will soon call home, and will provide you with greater peace of mind, too.
Understand their health needs. Understanding the specific challenges your loved one is facing means that you can show up for them in as many ways as possible. As such, you should keep track of and accompany them to any doctor’s appointments and check-ups while also using this to ask the doctor any questions you may have. If you want more information, ask them for reputable sources, as opposed to pulling this from random websites, which may not be accurate. This way, you can stay as informed as possible and help ensure your loved one gets the care and support they need.
Spend time with them. More often than not, the only thing elderly parents want from adult children is to spend time together. After all, as we get older, our world tends to get smaller, especially when we retire and have fewer ways to fill our time. Furthermore, spending more time with them allows you to become more attuned to their needs, so that you can continue to support them moving forward.
Remember, if you’re not able to stop by in person due to your own busy schedule, a quick phone call can have a similar effect. This is because as soon as that phone rings, they feel instantly less alone, and you’re showing them just how much you care. As such, it will brighten their day in more ways than you can imagine, whether you’re chatting during your lunch break or when preparing your evening meal.
