Nobody wants to think about their parents getting older, but eventually, they may reach a point where you have to take care of them in much the same way that they took care of you.
The fact is, your parents likely don’t want to think about the challenges of getting older either. They might lose some of their independence, which is difficult to deal with at the best of times. So one of the keys to looking after aging parents is to make sure that you always give them their dignity and respect.
Communicate with your parents and come up with plans together. Don’t just railroad over their preferences, but work with them for as long as you can. For example, if it’s time for your parents to go to an assisted living facility, talk it over with them and make sure that your focus is what’s best for their needs.
But you do need to pay attention to your parents and other older family members and watch out for signs of illness or other issues.
Emotional Health
Many older people start to struggle emotionally with the aging process. As mentioned earlier, they can feel as though they’re losing their independence and having to rely on others more, which can be hard to deal with.
Not only that but as people get older, they lose people. Many older people experience a lot of loneliness, especially as friends and spouses die. It’s hard to make friends and, with the best will in the world, we’re all busy.
Even just an hour a day can do something to counteract this loneliness, so try to give your parents this time. As well as helping them emotionally, this time will also allow you to keep an eye on their health and wellbeing.
Physical Health
Everyone is familiar with the physical effects of aging.
Your parents are more likely to develop serious chronic health conditions as they get older, especially if they’re not healthy to start with. It’s important that they have regular doctor’s appointments for checkups and, if something has changed, get them seen to.
As well as more severe health conditions, look out for other common age-related conditions. For example, many older people lose their hearing. If you find yourself repeating or shouting a lot, consider recommending an audiologist appointment.
If they are experiencing hearing loss, an audiologist can help them find the best affordable hearing aids for seniors.
Cognitive Health
Finally, one thing that many older people have to contend with is cognitive decline. A daily routine can help your parents stay sharp, especially if they have an active social life. But you should also be aware of the signs of Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
If you are concerned, a doctor can run tests and find a diagnosis. From there, you can work with your parents and the doctor to come up with a plan to help your parents as the condition progresses.
