As parents get older, they're more likely to need extra support.When we are young, we require our parents to help us to learn to eat, to walk, to talk, and to function as general human beings. As we become adults, we watch our parents regress. If we're fortunate enough to have parents that are cognitively able until they are in their 80s or 90s, this is a wondrous thing to watch because you get to see the person who raised you as a whole human being.
Unfortunately, some parents have to deal with things like Alzheimer's or dementia. Knowing what's best to support them is not the easiest thing to do because you spent your entire life in the role of a child, so how would you know what to do when you effectively become an adult? There are home care options to support you and to support an aging parent, but there are plenty of things that you could also be doing to ensure that your parent is safe and remains connected to the world and people around them. The idea is to offer the assistance that they need without taking away their independence.
Do what you can to help with daily tasks. Each day, pop over to your parents house to give them a hand with cooking, cleaning or buying food. Most people reach an age where it becomes difficult to do the most simple activities, so whether they're struggling to cook their own meals or to do household chores, you may notice when they are struggling with these things. If they're leaving the house less often than before, you might consider picking up their weekly grocery shop. Something as simple as that can make all the difference to their day.They might also need help with knowing what mobile assistance is required from mobility2you, like wheelchairs for example.
Outsource the help where you can. You're going to have your own life to get on with, which means that you may not always have the time to pop in and clean or to look after an animal. The best thing that you can do is outsource where possible, and that means hiring in a cleaning team or a home care company to help where you can't. If your loved one needs assistance during the night, overnight care can provide the support they need while ensuring their safety and comfort. It should be a cohesive way that you work with other companies to keep your parents independent and at home for as long as possible.
Figure out their end of life plans. It sounds like such a modeling topic, but really it's a conversation that is practical and that is necessary no matter how much you don't want it to happen. Every single person is going to die, so facing the practicalities of that and understanding what they want early is going to take away half the pain when they do pass away.
Stay in contact. Isolation is very real in the elderly community and you don't want your parents to feel that way. Loneliness can encourage unhealthy habits, and it can also increase the risk of complications in health, such as cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer's. Support your elderly parents by staying in touch and letting them know that they are not alone.It will make all the difference to their overall health and well-being.