Essential Tips for Supporting Aging Parents: A Practical Guide
Countless families today are feeling pressure from all sides. They’re raising young children while caring for elderly parents, exhausting them. However, they want to give back to their parents even as they care for their children as their parents did for them. How can children support their aging parents?
The Role of Caregiver
When someone says they are a caregiver for their elderly parents, others might think they provide physical assistance. However, being a caregiver comes with many duties. These individuals might be asked to cook and clean for their parents, provide emotional support, and pay their bills. Every family is different in terms of what is expected of a caregiver.
The role of caregiver might be a short-term assignment as the elderly parent waits to get into assisted living. On the other hand, it might be a long-term role a child takes on as their parent needs help for an extended time. They may be able to live on their own initially with only a little help, but as their care needs increase, the caregiver’s duties also increase. How can caregivers provide the support their parents need without overwhelming themselves?
Seek Outside Help
Caregivers must know when they need outside help. For example, their parents may need help with activities of daily living, and an aide can provide this assistance. When the parent has cognitive difficulties, they may need to find a memory care community to ensure they get the specialized care they need. Furthermore, emotional health is just as important as physical health. When the caregiver cannot be present, the parent appears lonely or depressed, and they need to bring in additional support. This support can ensure the parents get the socialization they need regularly.
Caregivers may also support their parents regarding their health care and medication management. Keeping track of doctor’s appointments, medication schedules, and health conditions can be challenging. Help the seniors by providing them with a calendar, automated reminders, and other cues to ensure they care for their health in every way.
Home Safety
Family members can be beneficial in ensuring the elderly parents have a safe living environment. For example, they can put non-stick backing on loose rugs, increase the lighting in the home, and add grab bars in the bathroom. Handrails benefit many senior citizens today, and all tripping hazards should be removed to reduce the risk of a fall resulting in serious injuries. If these measures aren’t enough and the senior suffers an injury, it may be time to consider a move to a senior living community.
Create a Care Plan
Family members should create a care plan for seniors. This plan ensures anybody who comes to help the elderly family members will know how things are done and what the senior prefers. They won’t have to share this information repeatedly, which can be difficult, especially if the senior has cognitive difficulties. Caregivers can refer to this plan without bothering the senior. Family members should update this care plan regularly and include their daily routines, medical concerns, and safety measures.
When family members recognize they can no longer care for their aging parents, it’s time to consider other options. Senior living communities provide the support many aging adults need today. With many options, every family should be able to find the right living arrangement for their loved ones.
People often assume that caring for their aging parents will be similar to caring for their younger children. That is not the case. Seniors have lived full lives and know what they like and want. Families must recognize this and give them input into every decision regarding their care. When families do so, doing what is right for the loved one becomes easier.
