Tips on helping your aging parents

Just as they once did for you, when your parents reach that certain age it will become your turn to watch over them. The age at which your parents or other elders will no longer be able to live completely independently will vary from person to person however it is usually between the ages of 65 and 85. As they grow old, you should look out for signs that point towards this direction. Unless health problems exist, this process will normally be slow and take place over the course of a few years. If you visit your parents often, it may be more difficult to be able to tell when they have reached that certain point in their life where they can no longer live independently. Therefore, it is important that you are aware of warning signs and what to do so you can better handle this situation when it arises. In this article, we will discuss what some red flags are and also how to help and what to do when you are assisting your elderly parents.

Some of the first things that will happen to their bodies will be a significant decrease in energy and a lowered ability to think and focus on tasks and in conversation. As we mentioned before, it may be hard for some to pick up on these changes in energy if you are with them often. It is however, important that you remain in constant contact with them so that you can better assist them as their needs grow. To make it easier to tell whether an elderly parent is getting to that age, there are many simple telltale signs that will help you make that decision.

If in the past a parent was normally steadfast with their bills for example, and if you notice that they are allowing those letters to pile up, this is normally a good sign that their energy is decreasing. Alternatively, you can use other comparisons to better assess what their state of health is. For instance, if your mother normally keeps up with the housecleaning and you begin to notice clutter and dust building up, that is also normally a telltale sign that her energy has decreased.

As importaint as it is to monitor their energy levels, their mental health is also important to watch out for. If you notice that they are making strange clothing choices, forgetting important things more frequently or just acting strange, this is a good sign that their mental health is beginning to deteriorate. Comparing how they were before and how they act now is a great way to accurately judge the state of their mind and body.

If you find that your parents are needing more help, you should make sure to minimize any strenuous activity that they may have normally done on their own in house. Such examples are mowing their lawn, getting their mail, lifting and moving heavy objects and possibly operating a vehicle. Also, it is important to make sure they are keeping up with their expenses and most importantly their medication.

Proper medication is of course of crucial importance that will allow them to live out their remaining years in high quality fashion. Make sure that they are seeing the doctor regularly for anything that may be an issue as certain minor problems are more likely to develop into major problems with older people. Familiarize yourself with their medications and speak with their doctor on a regular basis to ensure that they are doing what is necessary to stay healthy.

Now that you know how to properly handle their physical health and mental aptitude, it is now time to focus on their happiness and omissions. Often, after retirement the elderly can become depressed and feel unwanted. If you are able to give them less demanding yet still important activities such as cleaning, cooking, fixing small house repairs and caring for your pets and children, this will go a long way in assuring that they still feel needed in the family.

Another great way of keeping their spirits bright is to encourage them to get involved with senior groups and that they continue to try new things and meet new people. This will help keep them from finding their last years old and boring which is something that is often overlooked when it comes to assisting your elderly parents.

Now that you know the warning signs and how to help them, you will find that you are more prepared when that time comes. When you see the signs, a good idea is to communicate this with them and help them understand that they will no longer be able to do some of the things that they used to do.