It’s challenging to watch parents age and know they need a little more help than they used to, but that is a reality for many adult children. It’s important for children to understand how to support their parents during this time to make sure they have everything they need to stay healthy and happy. Some of the ways to help support parents as they age include the following.
Prioritize Conversations
It’s important to start talking to them about the extra care they may need and the best way to get it for them. While many adult children will help out their parents when possible, it’s also a good idea to look into different resources available and to have conversations with the parents about what their specific needs may be as they age. Adult children can check out the St. Andrew’s Resources For Seniors System before talking to their parents to get help with the conversation.
Keep an Eye on Health and Mobility
The adult children will want to make sure they keep an eye on the health and mobility of their parents. This can help the children determine when it’s time to start looking into more care for their parents, so the parents don’t have to struggle to do things on their own. The adult children will want to talk to their parents about any issues they notice, to see how they can help and whether it might be time to seek extra care.
Create an Accessible Living Environment
As parents age, they may need a more accessible home environment to allow them to live at home as long as possible. There are many different ways to make the home more accessible and safe for the parents, so they don’t have to worry about moving right now. However, if their mobility continues to decline, it may be worth discussing a move to a more accessible living environment to prevent falls and other issues.
Support Emotional and Social Well-being
The adult children will want to make sure they are supporting their parents’ emotional and social well-being, not just their overall physical health. To do this, it’s a good idea to look into ways to help the senior be more active. This might include getting more exercise, being able to spend time with friends, and taking part in different activities in the community. If they are lonely, it might be time to look into moving into senior living so they can live closer to friends and social activities.
Explore Care Options and Resources
It’s a good idea to explore the different care options and resources available to seniors, even if the parents don’t need them quite yet, so it’s easier to be prepared when the time comes and the parent needs more help. Adult children can help their parents look through all of the options to find something that’s going to be a good fit and help their parents stay healthy and safe.
If your parents are starting to need a little more help around the home, it’s time to talk to them about the options and to start looking into ways to help them. Use the information here to get started and to begin the talk about getting more help in the future, as their needs may change. Doing this can help make major changes easier for them.
Melody Roth, a seasoned blog writer with a passion for the delectable world of food, specializes in crafting mouth-watering articles on favorites like pizza and burgers. With years of experience under her belt, Melody serves up stories as tantalizing as the dishes she describes, making her an invaluable voice in the culinary blogging realm.