Caring for Aging Parents: 5 Essential Tips
Caring for aging parents can be challenging, but there are ways to make your life easier. These five tips will make a huge difference.
Are your parents approaching their golden years?
Almost half of America’s senior citizens need an average of 200 hours of care each month. Some need less while others need even more.
Recognizing that your loved ones need an increasing amount of care can feel a bit overwhelming. Knowing what to do helps.
Read on for five tips on caring for aging parents.
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Take Regular Assessments
Elderly individuals can sometimes lose certain abilities seemingly out of the blue. This can quickly turn dangerous if it goes unnoticed.
Assess their health and abilities on a regular basis. Ask how they feel and if they struggle with any tasks.
Sometimes people do not even recognize their own decline, especially if dementia sets in. Watch for signs, like constant forgetfulness, odd behavior, poor judgment, and inability to carry out simple tasks.
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Decide How Much You Can Help
Many people feel responsible for taking care of their parents. But, most individuals cannot take on adult care all on their own.
Caring for the elderly can get tricky, as they may still want their independence. This sometimes leads to unsafe situations when they get left alone.
Take on only what your life allows without burning yourself out. Then talk with other family members to see what they can do.
Some families hire home health aides to care for their elderly loved ones when they cannot. If your loved one needs more help than you can provide, look into high-quality senior living facilities to keep them safe.
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Make Decisions With Your Parents
There may come a time when you need to make decisions for your parents. Still, do not discount the importance of making these decisions with them.
Unlike children, they know what they want for their life, and lived a long time independently. Letting go of independence can feel devastating.
Even if you need to force them into something they do not want for their own safety, the transition will go smoother if you make them a part of the process. Tell them your plan ahead of time, rather than springing it onto them.
Give them time to process the change. When choosing caregivers or a nursing home, let them choose with you.
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Stand Firm
Even though you want to involve them, do not allow them to talk you out of good decisions. Many people struggle with leaving their homes.
But if falls, dementia, or other care problems make their home unsafe, you need to stick with your decision to move them. Show them the perks of their new living arrangements and talk about things that will excite them there.
Talk openly about exactly why they must move. Assure them that you will not abandon them.
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Monitor Their Care
When you must make the tough decision to outsource care for your parents, monitor this care. Unfortunately, some people take advantage of senior resources.
Watch their finances closely to make sure nobody is abusing them financially. Make yourself seen by all caregivers, so they know your parents get looked after.
Notice bruises or strange injuries. Ask about anything that seems unusual.
If you do notice any signs of elderly neglect or abuse, step in immediately. After protecting aging parents, contact an elder abuse law firm.
Make Caring for Aging Parents a Priority
Your parents raised you, and now they need your help. Make caring for aging parents a priority.
Sometimes this means physically helping out. But it also includes finding them good care and monitoring them.
If you take on their care, keep yourself well. Find tips on our health page!
