Are your parents nearing the age where they might start to need help? It can be something we put off thinking about and planning for. Nobody wants to imagine their parents losing mobility, awareness, or cognition.
But there are things that it is important to think about if you have elderly parents. There are ways you can help them, from practical assistance to emotional support.
Let’s take a look at 5 ways you can help your elderly parents.
1. Keep in Touch With Them
Loneliness is one of the most common grievances for the elderly, but it is clearly also one of the easiest to combat. It may seem a mundane thing to do, but be intentional about making contact on a regular basis.
You may feel that you are not able to be in touch as much as you like. If you worry that your loved one may suffer from loneliness, Continuing Care Communities are a fantastic way to ensure that your loved one will not be alone and will have the care they need.
2. Encourage Them to Exercise
One of the best activities for both physical and mental health is exercise. The level of intensity of exercise will vary depending on the age and health of your relative, but even a short walk each day can do wonders for them.
To encourage them, why not offer to go with them for a walk? Or pick them up and take them to play with their grandchildren (a great way to get them moving, and give you a break!).
3. Speak Up for Your Elderly Relatives
As someone gets older, they may have the need for treatments and medications for illnesses or ailments. They may, however, be unsure as to how they should go about seeking help for these things in the first place.
Ask them regularly how they are feeling, and offer to accompany them to appointments. Ask any questions that they may not have asked if they were by themself.
This is especially important for a parent with dementia, where their cognitive skills are failing them. Make sure you advocate for them.
4. Ensure Their Home is Suitable
If a family member has lived in the same home for a long time, they may not have considered any changes that may need to be made to their living space in the event of their health deteriorating.
Look around the house and check for any potential dangers, such as uneven floors, or other trip hazards. Have handrails installed, and make sure the house is well lit all over.
Make sure medication is easily accessed, and consider installing an SOS system – it’s better to have one and not need it than to need one and not have it.
5. Reminisce and Build Relationship
You can implement all of the above to help ensure the safety of your elderly loved ones, but arguably the most important thing you can do is to maintain a relationship.
Talk about “the good old days”, tell them about your life, and ask them to tell stories about theirs.
Placing value on your elderly relatives is a wonderful way to help them feel loved.
Don’t Delay, Call a Loved One Today!
Even if you are a teenager or young adult, there’s a chance that you’ll have elderly relatives. Why not use this blog as a prompt to give them a call. There are so many simple things you can do to help them, both for their mental and physical health.
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