Looking Out For Your Aging Parents

People often say that one of the hardest things to do is watch your parents get old.

These people who we relied on so much for so long may have seemed invincible, as if they had superpowers, though we may not have appreciated that until we became parents ourselves.

Now, we are witnessing their needs change as their bodies and minds start to decay.

It is never fun to realize that your parent now needs more support from you.

However, it can be a great privilege to care for your aging parents to return the favor of them taking care of you for so long.

At some point, you will encounter these changes for the first time, and you will have many questions about what to do.

It is best to be prepared for this stage of life. As your parents age, you can play a role in looking out for them and their interests.

Here are a few ways to do so effectively:

Stay Connected

The first and simplest way to look out for your parents is to stay connected to them.

As people get older, they tend to lose many of the relationships they had growing up.

Their own parents may have passed away, as well as many of their childhood or young adulthood friends.

This can easily lead to loneliness and depression. A strong connection with their children can sustain them, which might mean you stepping up a bit and making an effort.

Studies also demonstrate that older adults who play active roles in the lives of grandchildren tend to be healthier and happier.

Try to visit your parents regularly, and bring the kids along if you have any. Take some extra time to give them a call a few times a month if you live far away.

Consider Changes to Their Home

Many older adults elect to age in place, which means staying in their house rather than moving to a retirement community or assisted living facility.

However, their home may not be perfectly suited for greater healthcare needs.

Perhaps the stairs are a bad idea or the bathroom floor is way too slippery for aging legs to handle.

It might be time to talk with them about some home upgrades that will make their house safer and more conducive to their current lifestyle.

An in-home elevator could be a wise upgrade to overcome the stair issue. Maybe some doors should be widened so they are easier to navigate with a wheelchair or walker.

Even changing the doorknobs from round models to levers can make it easier for them to open and close doors if their dexterity is decreasing. 

Discuss Financial Topics

Finances are important for older adults to keep up with.

If they are retired, then they only have a certain amount of money coming in from Social Security, retirement accounts, or other investments.

Additionally, older adults are vulnerable to financial exploitation. Discussing some of these topics with them can ensure they are financially stable during their golden years.

Perhaps they could make a wiser investment with their money for a higher income floor.

Maybe one of your parents served in the military and got injured, so they need to know how to file a VA claim to receive tax-free benefits.

Hackers and scam artists are always adapting, so some quick research into the latest scams could protect your parents’ finances from criminal activity.

Discuss these financial topics to set your parents up well for this stage of life.

Encourage Healthy Habits

With age comes a certain amount of stubbornness for some individuals. They have been around for decades, and they might decide that it is not worth the effort to make health-conscious choices.

They deserve to eat and do what they want at this point, right?

While this is true to an extent, you still want the best for them, and unhealthy choices can cause a quick degradation in their wellness.

That can result in more pain and discomfort in the coming years.

Try encouraging your parents to stay focused on health with balanced eating, regular exercise, and mind-stimulating activities.

Forgoing these habits could put them at risk of more diseases or aches.

Understand There Will Be Challenges

As mentioned before, it is never easy to see your parents grow old. The people you used to depend on may now become dependent on you.

Even if that is not the case, you will witness the change in their healthcare needs as their bodies and minds are affected by the weight of the years.

There will be challenges as you support your aging parents, but you should count it a privilege to care for these people whom you love.