How to Take Care of an Older Parent

Most people love their parents. Whether you have a good or bad relationship with them, you probably want them to live out their old days in peace. Many children view it as their responsibility to take care of their parents, especially when they get older. After all, if your parents took care of you for so long, isn’t it your duty to do the same?

It may not be a necessity for you to take care of your elderly parents, but it may be something you consider. You need to be aware, however, that taking care of your parents can be challenging. By browsing a few online resources, you can learn more about how to become certified to care for your parents as well as other special skills you may need to care for them effectively. To learn more, you can visit the Caregiverlist site.

Whether they live alone, with you, or in a retirement home, there are bound to be some issues. That’s why we’ve put together this handy list of tips for taking care of your older parent. 

Take safety precautions 

If your parent is still capable of living on their own, there’s no reason to take that away from them and make them stay in a retirement home. That being said, you may still want to take a few extra precautions anyway.

Many people view older people as easy targets, so it might be a good idea to invest in an alarm system for your parent, especially if they live alone. Another way of keeping them safe, regardless of where they live, is by getting them one of the best medical alert systems so that they can be helped if they ever fall. 

Budget

Hopefully, your parent or parents made provision for their retirement by saving money each month, or by taking out a retirement policy. That way, the burden doesn’t have to fall entirely on you.

However, even if your parents did make the necessary plans, they may still require some money, especially if they require specialized care. Of course, this isn’t something you have to help out with, but if you do, then you need to set up a budget.

This way, you will know how much you need to put aside each month to help them cover their expenses. Keep in mind that you should only commit to helping your parents financially if you truly can afford it. 

Don’t take away their independence

Children who take care of their parents often forbid them from doing certain things. We understand that when you try and keep your parents safe, you are doing it from a place of love. However, you should try and see things from their point of view. 

They may feel that you are trying to take over their life, or that you don’t trust them. Rather than completely taking away their independence, have an open conversation.

Of course, certain things should be off-limits for old people, but if your parent is still relatively healthy and well, there’s no reason to restrict them to the house. Encourage them to take part in these activities for seniors, so that they can still hold onto their independence.  

Offer to help with small things

When you grow older, things that were once easy now become a struggle. Your parent may be too ashamed to ask for help, so you can offer to help to avoid making them feel uncomfortable.

You don’t need to go very far out of your way to make their life easier, either. You can simply take them to the grocery store once a week or offer to pick up their medication. 

Consider putting them in a retirement home

Unfortunately, there often comes a time where it is just not practical or safe for your parent to live alone anymore. And while you may want to have them move in with you, that’s not always a good idea. 

If your parent needs around-the-clock attention, and you work a full-time job, then a retirement home might be a better option for them as well as for you. It is important that you take their opinion into consideration when choosing a retirement home. You can click here for a retirement home checklist if you’re not sure what to look for. 

Respect them

Some people treat their parents differently if their parents move in with them. But that’s not fair – just because your parents are living under your roof doesn’t mean you can treat them disrespectfully.

For example, even if it is your house, it would be rude to snoop through your parent’s belongings. They deserve their privacy just as much as everyone else. Just think about how you would want to be treated if you had to live with someone, and then treat your parent like that.

Pay attention

While you shouldn’t babysit your parent, you should pay extra attention to how they are when they are older. Parents often have a hard time admitting when they are struggling, and sometimes they will even try to hide a sickness or injury from their children. 

You should pay attention to any changes in your parent’s behavior. You may also need to check that they are taking proper care of themselves. For example, if they recently suffered from a heart attack scare, you may want to check that they are implementing some strategies to prevent heart disease.

 Encourage them to be social

Growing old can be lonely. If your parent lives alone – and even if they don’t – you should try to make an effort to see them regularly. Even if it’s just an hour out of your week, it will mean the world to them. You should also encourage them to socialize with people their own age. 

In conclusion

Even though you don’t have to take care of your parent or parents, you may want to repay them for all they did for you. On top of that, taking care of an older parent can be a rewarding experience. 

That being said, it’s not an easy task, and you should only tackle it if you know that you are able to take on that much responsibility. The best thing to do is to have an open conversation with your parent about what you both want and expect.