It can be difficult to know how to provide support for elderly parents. They may be struggling with physical or emotional issues, and they may need help with basic tasks like bathing and dressing.
You want to make sure that they are comfortable and safe, but you also don’t want to smother them. Here are some of the best ways to provide your elderly parents with the support they need.
Find An Affordable Home For Them
One of the best things that you can do for your elderly parents is to help them find an affordable place to live. This can be a retirement community, an assisted living facility, or even just a smaller and more manageable home.
A retirement community can offer them social activities, while an assisted living facility can provide help with basic tasks like bathing and dressing. If your parents can live independently, a smaller home can be a more manageable option.
Rest assured that there are senior living apartments based on income which means that finding an affordable option for your parents is possible. Make sure that you visit several different options with them and help them choose the one that best suits their needs. You should also take note of the pros and cons of each option so that you can make an informed decision.
Hire Outside Help
If your parents are struggling to live independently, you may want to hire outside help. This can be a home health aide, a caregiver, or even just someone to come in and help with basic tasks like laundry and cooking.
A home health aide can provide medical care and assistance with basic tasks like bathing and dressing. A caregiver can provide emotional support and help with tasks like grocery shopping and errands.
If your parents just need some extra help around the house, you can hire a maid service or a handyman to come in and do some of the work for them. Be sure to interview several different candidates and find someone who you feel comfortable with.
You should also make sure that they are bonded and insured. As much as possible, the person you hire should be trustworthy and reliable. You should also have a backup plan in place in case the person you hire is unavailable.
Help Them With Their Finances
One of the most difficult things for elderly parents to deal with is their finances. They may have a fixed income, or they may be struggling to pay their bills. You can help them by taking care of their finances for them.
This includes helping them budget their money or paying their bills. In budgeting their money, you can help them figure out how much they need to spend on necessities like food and shelter. You can also help them save money by setting up a budget for their discretionary spending.
In paying their bills, you can make sure that they are paid on time and that they are not overcharged. If you are not comfortable handling their finances for them, you can hire a financial planner to do it for you.
Run Errands For Them
You can also help them with errands by doing these for them or by taking them with you when you run your errands. This way, they won’t have to go out and do these things themselves. If you take them with you, they can also get some fresh air and socialize with other people.
You can help them with errands like grocery shopping or getting the mail. You should also make sure that you are available to help them with any other errands that they may need to do.
Provide Them With Transportation
One of the best ways to provide your elderly parents with the support they need is to provide them with transportation. This can be done by taking them to doctor’s appointments or even just taking them out for a drive. If you live nearby, you can offer to pick them up and take them to their appointments.
You can also take them out for a drive to get some fresh air and to enjoy the scenery. If you live far away, you can provide them with a car or even pay for their transportation costs.
Keep Them Active And Engaged
Another way to provide your elderly parents with the support they need is to keep them active and engaged. This can be done by taking them on walks, helping them join social clubs, or even just having regular conversations with them.
When you go for walks with them, you can help them stay active and get some exercise. You can also help them join social clubs so that they can interact with other people their age. If you have regular conversations with them, you can keep them engaged in the world around them.
You should also encourage them to pursue their interests and hobbies. It’s important that they feel like they are a part of the world and that they are not just sitting around waiting to die. Keeping them active and engaged will help them live longer and happier lives.
Make Sure They Have A Support System
Another important way to provide support for your elderly parents is to make sure that they have a strong support system. This can include family, friends, and even professional caregivers. Professional caregivers can help with things like bathing, dressing, and medications.
They can also provide companionship and make sure that your parents are not isolated. Family and friends can provide support by visiting them, taking them out, and just being there for them. You should also make sure that your parents have a way to contact you in case they need help.
Be Their Advocate
Most importantly, be their advocate. This means that you should speak up for them when they are not able to do so themselves. This can be in situations like doctor’s appointments, meetings with financial advisors, and even family gatherings. You should also be their advocate in situations where they are being taken advantage of.
For example, if you feel like a nursing home is not providing them with the care they need, you should speak up. By doing so, you will ensure that their voices are heard and that they are getting the support they need.
There are many ways to provide your elderly parents with the support they need. These are just a few of the most important ways. By providing them with the support they need, you can help them live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
