How To Take Care Of An Aging Parent
Nobody expects to have to look after their parents once they’re well into their retirement years. However, this is becoming more and more of a reality every day. While putting your parent into a care facility can be a great decision depending on your circumstances, many still don’t know how they can help take care of their aging parent. After all, many people aren’t prepared for looking after an aging loved one. Because of that they’re unsure of what they can and can’t do. Furthermore, many of us may not know what may be beneficial for our loved ones and so we can often end up at a loss for what to do.
Having said that, there are a variety of different things that you can do to help take care of an aging loved one. Many of these are aimed at ensuring that your parents’ needs are being met, regardless of whether or not they’re in a home. On top of that, if you’re loved one happens to be in a home, then there are still a few key things that you’ll be able to do to take care of your aging loved one.
Make The House As Safe As Possible
The vast majority of us want to lead an independent and healthy life for as long as possible. Because of that, even when we’re well into our retirement years and if we start suffering from any age-related illnesses, we still want to stay in our own home. However, that means that some elements of your home may need to be reworked to ensure that your parent can still have an easy time when they’re at home. This can include the likes of a chair that goes up and down the stairs and more. Furthermore, this can be extended toward mobility with the likes of a Zinger Chair. A Zinger Chair is lightweight at only 47 pounds, so compact that it can fit into small cars, goes between 0 and 6 miles per hour and is so maneuverable that it can turn on a dime and fit under a table. See the Zinger Chair in action at www.zingerchair.com.
With this increased mobility, your aging parent will still be able to get around the neighborhood and do their own shopping, etc. With that in mind, your parents will be able to live as close to an independent life as possible as they get older. Even if you’re parents are in a home, these kinds of mobility chairs will be able to help them with social activities and more.
Make Contact & Visit Frequently
This can be done regardless of whether your parent is living in their own home or an assisted living facility but can prove to be vital in either case. While it may be virtually impossible to visit daily, depending on your personal situation, a phone call could go a long way. Many older adults, especially those who have decreased mobility and may be somewhat housebound, may end up feeling lonely. As such, you maintaining contact as regularly as possible can be vital. With this, even if you can’t visit them every day, you’ll still be able to speak with them over the phone, which can make a vital difference.
Furthermore, visit your parents as often as possible. No matter how much contact you have over the phone, this can’t make up for a physical visit. This is something that can be beneficial for both you and your parents. Not only do they get a visitor, but you get to see how they’re doing physically, which you won’t get over the phone.
Encourage An Active Social Life
We’ve already mentioned that many people may end up feeling lonely in their later years. However, the best way around this is through an active social life. For many parents, this may be something they already have, and they would have seen the many benefits, but others may need a bit of extra encouragement. Furthermore, this is something that’s focused on in an assisted living facility and is encouraged outside of them too. With that in mind, there are a variety of different community classes that your parents may be interested in.
Because of that, you may want to consider encouraging your aging parent to take up some of these classes. Not only will it keep them occupied for the duration of the class, but they’ll be able to have a social life and possibly make new friends too. As such, it can be a great way to help look after your parents’ social needs and to help them lead an independent and healthy life.
