8 Best Practices for Supporting Aging Parents
Caring for aging parents is one of the most life-changing experiences because, often, people do not know what to expect. Everyone’s journey through old age flows differently, and the best we can do is hope things will turn out well. There’s nothing to fear. No matter how difficult it may seem, it is manageable. Others have also done it successfully.
Adhering to these best practices can help you approach supporting your elderly parents with more love and compassion. You can do it! You only need optimism, commitment, and empathy.
Let’s look at the best practices for supporting aging parents and making life worthwhile for both of you.
Understand Their Needs
Understanding your parents’ needs is the first thing that will pave the way for you. As said earlier, the encounter varies from person to person. So, adopting a lifestyle or advice you saw your friend or colleague implement on their parents is nearly impossible.
Evaluating needs touches on personal preferences, general health, social engagement, family matters, safety, nutrition, and transport needs. Breaking down all these essentials will give you a complete understanding of how to tackle everything else.
Make Living Arrangements for Them
Living is the leading issue for aging parents, considering they may be unable to handle many life errands as they used to or should. You can support them by organizing living arrangements.
Retirement homes serve the needs of retirees, primarily those in their prime old age. You can consider one for your aging parents but with a unified understanding that it’s for their well-being, not neglecting them.
Luxury living communities are more like retirement homes but with a highly elevated experience as they accommodate deluxe housing options, unlike standard ones. Independent living is another option for your aging parents, especially if they do not require extended health care.
Other standard living arrangements for aging people include memory care, assisted living, skilled nursing care, and continued care retirement communities.
Communicate Clearly
Nothing beats good communication in any setup. As someone looking forward to holding your parents’ hands as they navigate old age, you must prioritize excellent communication skills. Doing so allows you to keep things running smoothly from one step to the next and eventually triumph.
Ensure all parties can access mobile phones to enhance communication in this scenario. Additionally, organizing regular weekly checkups is crucial for more elaborate talks.
Get Them Involved
One thing about aging parents is that they dislike being left out. Even though you might have to take the lead on plans to work, keeping them closer to progress is advisable. Many times, resentment arises from feeling neglected in decisions that concern them.
Again, they might get the fear that they might lose the independence they once had, hence developing further resistance. Plan for deep conversations before settling on something and appreciate their input, no matter how insignificant.
Remain Patient with Them
Patience is the key to supporting aging parents. Many days, you may feel overwhelmed by everything happening around you, and if you are not careful, you can lose dedication.
Remember that they could also be trying to see the positive side of life amid the challenges. Anger, distancing yourself, or being side-hearted about support can worsen the situation.
Get Support from Other Family Members
It’s best said that you can’t manage aging parents alone, no matter how determined you may be. You’re not incapable or inferior in any way, but the responsibilities might be a lot for one person.
That’s why you should liaise with other family members, come together, and devise something strategic for your procreators. Sharing roles eases the journey and makes it more enjoyable.
Work On Yourself
Are you kind to yourself when being patient with your aging parents? As you dedicate a lot of time to fulfilling their needs, you shouldn’t forget that you also have a life.
Working on yourself will keep you in the best condition, which is ideal for caring for someone else. Be sure your health is stable, your knowledge is sufficient, your mind is calm, your personal space is protected, and no other area of your life is strained to the point of discomfort.
Involve the Professionals
As highlighted earlier, supporting aging parents is not a walk in the park. You must get a list of professionals to help you tread carefully.
These include a financial planner to keep money matters in order, a geriatrician, a law attorney (for elders), a social worker, a caregiver, a therapist, and a counsellor. You can also tag along a senior living consultant, hospice care team, nutritionist, and pharmacist.
