Supporting your ageing parents is a problem many people have. As the population ages and people live longer, the need for help and reassurance as they navigate their golden years is increasing.
Helping your parents as they experience changes in their health or mobility can be a challenging time for everyone. No one wants to see them struggling, and offering help and support in a way that allows them to improve their quality of life, retain independence and enjoy their senior years is important. But what is the best approach to take? These ideas can help you help them live their best life, regardless of age and abilities.
Talk to Them
Instead of rushing in and taking over, talk to your parents. They will know what they want and need, and being able to honour their wishes while also doing what is best for them is a goal you need to aim for. While you may not be able to provide them with the lifestyle they desire for various reasons, you can still engage with them and understand their vision or current situation, allowing you to make informed choices and decisions moving forward.
Help and Support
Support for senior parents can take many forms. You might choose to provide hands-on assistance, such as accompanying them to medical appointments or helping with household chores. Alternatively, you could explore professional care services, meal delivery options, or home cleaning services. The key is to find a balance that allows your parents to maintain their independence while ensuring their quality of life remains high.
Another option is to explore various assistive devices that can make life easier, including wheelchairs, ramps for accessing steps, stair lifts, handrails, and more. Visit a disability aids shop to see what options are available and how they can help your parents out.
Monitor
It's really important that you monitor your parents and their activities so you can make adjustments to where they are most needed. Even if they don't want it, you can consider installing smart home features, emergency call buttons, or even smartwatches and devices that they can use to track their health and call for help if needed. While it might seem like you're parenting your children by doing this, if they're struggling with health or mobility issues and want to remain living in their home independently, being able to monitor them to provide or get assistance quickly can make all the difference.
Emergency Plans
It's crucial to have an emergency plan in place in case things go downhill quickly. What happens if they have a health scare or emergency within the home? Who will you contact first, and who can help out? Talk to your parents about their wishes for emergency contacts and health directives, i.e. do they want extreme measures to preserve their life? Who is in charge of their financials or legal affairs if they aren't competent enough to do this themselves? Who is the best emergency contact for medical concerns, etc? Straighten this out before you need it, and ensure that if the worst does happen, you have a plan that accommodates your parents' wishes.