Being able to care for our parents in the way they once cared for us is one of life’s greatest honors. However, it can also be rather stressful. After all, it can sometimes be difficult to know how to show up for them, especially if you are already dealing with a busy schedule.
With that in mind, here are some simple yet effective ways in which you can support your parents as they get older!
Stay up to date with their health.
Typically, the older we get, the more challenges we will face relating to our health. As such, staying up to date with your parent's health, such as by encouraging them to attend any checkups, or researching any conditions they may have in more detail, is a great starting point.
After all, this means that you are aware of the challenges they are facing and can put systems in place to support them where necessary. For example, it could be that you remind them to take their daily medication!
Help them with estate planning.
Estate planning is a complicated yet crucial process. After all, it is important that your parent’s wishes relating to their money and assets are met, even if you do not want to think about them not being around anymore.
As such, one way in which you can help them during this time is by putting them in touch with a legal team who have extensive experience in estate planning, such as Elder Law Missoula. This will reduce their stress quite considerably, as they’ll gain access to the comprehensive support they need when completing and filing legal documents. It will also provide them with greater peace of mind moving forward.
Reach out regularly.
A recent study found that “approximately 50% of individuals aged over 60 are at risk of social isolation.” As this can have a profound effect on an individuals’ physical and mental health, it's important that you reach out to your parents regularly. While it may not be possible to visit every day, a simple phone call will make all the difference. For example, if you were trying to focus on your career while still helping your elderly parents, you could call your parents during your morning commute or on your lunch break.
Encourage them to keep moving.
By encouraging your parents to remain as active as possible, not only are you ensuring that they age gracefully, but you are also helping them to take better care of their health.
After all, regular exercise will improve their mobility, which means they can retain their independence for longer. It can also help to prevent the onset of sickness and disease while bettering their mental health.
As such, if you have noticed that your parents aren’t quite as active as they once were, try to find a way to combat this. For example, there are many different exercise classes designed to support seniors, and the instructors will be able to modify exercises based on your parent's needs. However, even something as simple as a daily walk can make a big difference.