With an average life expectancy in the US of 79 years, we can anticipate our parents living to an older age than our grandparents. This is great newsof course, as it means that we can spend more time with our loved ones and seniors can enjoy a long and happy retirement. It also makes it more important for all of us to take care of ourselves and our relatives, because good mental and physical health is key for staying happy and independent well into our twilight years.
The realization that our mom and dad need us to care for them can come as a bit of a shock, because for so many years it will have been the other way around. This is compounded by the fact that it’s not always clear what kind of assistance our parents might need, and how we can best support them as they grow older. To help you out, the following article gives advice on some ways in which you can enable your parents to live a happy, healthy and independent life for as long as possible.
The
advantages of moving elderly relatives to a residential care facility
Before we dive into the ways that you can help your parents in their own home, it’s important to touch on the subject of assisted living. In many cases, there will come a time when a person is no longer able to live independently due to health reasons or safety concerns. When this happens, they are often better off in a care home where they can receive the kind of dedicated and specialist support they require.
Lots of people find this decision a tough one to make and might feel guilty for even considering it. However, more often than not it is the best option for everyone concerned. If you believe that the time may have arrived for your family to think about this, the first step is to have an open and honest conversation about the topic. It’s also helpful to visit some residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFE) in person, to enable you to get a better feel for what living there is like. During your tour, an RCFE administrator can explain to you exactly what facilities they have and services they offer, as well as answer any questions you may have.
Rest assured that there are a huge number of benefits your aging parents will gain by moving to an assisted living facility. For example, they will have medically trained professionals on hand around the clock to provide care – something especially important for those with debilitating conditions such as dementia. Similarly, they will be living in a safe and secure environment specifically designed for elderly residents. This vastly reduces the risk of issues such as falls and getting lost.
Another big advantage of living in an RCFE is the social interaction it brings. Care homes often run a range of workshops, classes and events to help residents make friends and stay active, which is wonderfully beneficial for both their mental and physical health. Finally, many of your parents’ daily tasks – such as cleaning, cooking and doing the laundry – will be taken care of for them, reducing both stress and the risk of accidents.
Helping
your aging parents to stay at home for longer
For those whose relatives are
fit enough to continue living at home independently, there are a number of
steps you can take to help them continue doing so for as long as possible. For
example:
•
Make
adjustments around the home. There
are lots of small alterations you can make at your parents’ property to ensure
they are comfortable and safe living there. These include installing handrails
in the bathtub or a seat in the shower, having nightlights in the hallway to
make it easier to navigate in the dark, and getting a stairlift fitted for easy
access to different floors of the house. You can also get power-assisted rising
chairs that make it easier for seniors to sit down and stand up, and lever taps
that are simpler to use than those with twist handles. You can also declutter
rooms to reduce the risk of tripping and move items to lower shelves in the
cupboards to make them easier to reach.
•
Encourage
them to keep physically active.
Exercising regularly is important at all stages of our lives, but for elderly
people it’s vital for maintaining strength and balance. Not only that, but it
can also reduce the risk of conditions such as obesity, stroke and diabetes.
Try persuading your parents to take regular walks, or pick up an active hobby such as swimming or
gardening. Getting out in nature is also good for some much-needed exposure to
fresh air and sunlight, both of which are key for our wellbeing. For an added
social benefit, they might like to consider attending a fitness class in their
local area that’s specifically designed for older people.
•
Ensure they
eat healthily. Like exercise,
having a balanced and nutritious diet is important no matter how old we are.
However, elderly people tend to have lower calorie requirements, which can make
it tricky to ensure they get all the vitamins and minerals they need. Try to
encourage your parents to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, while
cutting back on overly sugary or salty foods. If you live nearby, you could
always accompany your mom or dad on trips to the grocery store or bring over
some delicious home-cooked meals for them. If that’s not possible, you might
consider using a home delivery service specially designed for senior citizens
instead.
• Help them to stay mentally active. Just as we need to keep our bodies active as we age, we also need to keep our brains active. This is vital for staving off memory loss and other forms of cognitive decline. Try encouraging your parents to do the daily crossword or other puzzles in the newspaper or have a go at special brain training games. Even activities such as visiting art galleries and museums can be effective, as well as reading widely on lots of different topics. If you think your mom or dad might like something a bit more involved, you could suggest they learn a new language or how to play a musical instrument.
Final
words
It’s important to remember that a situation like this is constantly changing, so it’s important to be alert to any changes or problems. This is made trickier by the fact that our parents don’t want to be a burden or worry us, and so may be reluctant to talk about deteriorations in their health or other difficulties they may have. The sort of warning signs you want to look out for that may signal help is needed include mess around the house, poor hygiene, bruising or cuts from a fall, weight loss, neglected pets, unusual behavior or being less talkative than usual. Make sure that your parents visit the physician regularly too, as this will provide the best chance of any medical issues being discovered and addressed as quickly as possible.
Lastly, you must make sure that you’re looking after yourself too. That means eating healthily, exercising, getting plenty of sleep, and setting aside time for selfcare. This could include anything from meditation and a day at the spa to spending quality time with friends or engaging in your favorite hobbies. After all, if you feel happy and healthy then you will be in a much better position to ensure your parents do too!
