Observing parents as they age can be painful, especially when we see them struggling with their daily lives. Their deficiencies, muscle loss, comorbid conditions, and other conditions negatively affect how they go about their daily routines and enjoy life.
Your duty as their children is to make them as comfortable as possible, alleviate their suffering, and ease their daily lives. Despite this, taking care of elderly parents is not easy; it requires constant supervision of their physical and emotional needs.
In this article, we will walk you through some tips to help you maintain a positive relationship with your parents while taking care of them full-time. As a result, taking care of them would be much easier while maintaining their health and your sanity.
- CONDUCT A REGULAR ROUTINE CHECK:
Old age can lead to hidden diseases that can show up uninvited with bigger problems. Therefore, it is necessary to take them for routine checkups and ensure they receive proper treatment during the initial stage of any disease.
One of such cases is cancer which mostly reveals itself in old age. So make sure you get their blood profiles, liver function tests, and biopsy (if necessary) at regular intervals.
If either of your parents is a retired veteran, get a diagnosis for mesothelioma, as veterans are at the highest risk of being affected by this cancer. There are special facilities like a Mesothelioma Veteran Center in the U.S that provide early diagnosis and treatment for retired citizens along with other benefits.
- ASSESS HOW MUCH CARE IS NEEDED:
Taking care of your parents full-time can be stressful, especially if you have children and a job to manage.
Caregiving for an elderly parent often involves many issues that most people are unaware of, and you might need to appoint a professional caretaker.
Due to our busy schedules, it is imperative that we take note of how much and at what time our parents need us the most. We must assess their needs, understand the sleeping and eating routines they should follow, and determine when to schedule their routine checkups. You might also note down the conditions in which you might need to call 911.
- BE PREPARED PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY:
To provide a secure environment for your parents, you must be active and healthy enough to care for them.
Naturally, we are emotionally attached to our parents, and watching their aging process disturbs us mentally. The fear of losing them also makes us weak. However, at this point in life, they need extra care from us by determining their daily activities that require continuous effort physically and mentally.
As a long-term care provider, you must take care of yourself first. Take steps to nourish your body and spirit to have the energy, stamina, and resources required to be a caregiver.
- TAKE THEM TO SOCIALIZE:
Being at home all the time can make your parents feel frustrated. The same daily routine of care also makes them feel lazy and lethargic. Moreover, staying for a longer period in the same place can also cause anxiety issues. To keep them busy, try to make them socialize with other people, as this is the best method to engage with their peers or other people.
For their peace of mind, try to socialize by taking them to the park in the evening. Watching birds chirping, kids playing, and talking to people their age will eventually help change their mood and remedy boredom.
You can also take them to family, relatives, or friends’ homes for a change of atmosphere.
Try to train them using technology like Facebook and Instagram or make a what’s app group of your family members. This will help them to be in contact with their family members and peers.
- ASK FOR ADDITIONAL HELP:
Your parents are your responsibility, but constant checks can be difficult for you as a sole caretaker; therefore, you must accept support from any friend or family for your relaxation and give yourself time to rest.
You can also hire an additional caregiver if your parent is unable to do daily chores. This will provide better supervision from trained staff.
Hiring a helper would not only give you a break but also provide space to focus on your career and relationship and enjoy some time to alleviate the stress.
- ADRESS FINANCIAL NEEDS:
Providing your parents best supervision and health care facilities will eventually increase your expenses. Although the talk of money may cause bitterness in family relations, you need to address this issue.
Are your parents financially stable for their expenses? If not, other siblings can contribute to their monthly needs and expenses. Talk to them to make a contribution in monetary terms.
But if you are a single child, you could enroll your parent in government and private support fund programs that will assist you financially.
You should consider your budget and expenditure before taking any responsibility. Financial pressure will make you burn out, and you might be unable to look after yourselves or your parents.
- ENSURE AN EASY AND HEALTHY DIET:
Aging can bring difficulty in eating food and having a balanced diet. The loss of teeth also makes it difficult to chew food properly. Food, if not properly broken, can also exert pressure on the abdomen, resulting in constipation.
Regularly making meals from scratch can be hectic work for you; therefore, look for options that are easy to prepare and full of nutrition.
Balancing meals will not only solve their current health problems but also help improve their immunity.
- BE PREPARED FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES:
Caregiving is a monumental task and becomes even more challenging with old age. If your parent may have diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, and hypertension, they may encounter medical emergencies.
You must be prepared with over-the-counter medicine, follow-ups with your parents’ physicians, or, if required, a suitable means of transport to reach the hospital safely.
WRAP UP:
Without any doubt, taking responsibility for elderly parents is a 24/7 task. It requires regular monitoring of problems and solving issues related to meals, health, medicines, etc.
But as children, you should focus on your parents’ well-being and give them your time, providing extra love and care to make them feel happy and content with life.
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