GLOBAL HEALTH AGING

Be a supportive caregiver

As your parents reach their golden years, they are more susceptible to diseases and general body weakness. Although you may have kids and other responsibilities, treat your parents with respect and dignity by tending to their needs. A long-term senior care facility is an ideal alternative, especially when you live away or have a busy schedule. Ultimately, it is critical to take advantage of every moment and create fun memories with your parents.

Manage stress and anxiety

As you try to be strong and caring about your parents’ needs, you will face external stressors. Although you are supposed to accept reality, it’s okay to vent to release the stress and anxiety. If you bottle up all your emotions, you will have a hard time being a caregiver and focusing on other responsibilities. Do whatever it takes to find peace with the situation; you can go for therapy, seek guidance and counseling, or talk to a trusted friend.

Hold discussions with other family members

All family members should take part in caring for parents when they start aging. Many things need to be attended to, such as hospital bills or assisted living bills, legal fees, and estate planning. During this time, put all issues on the table for discussion before including your parents, and let every sibling voice their opinions as you figure out the way forward. When all siblings unite, it’s easier to support your parents in all aspects of life as they transition to their golden years. . While it’s important to try and come to a decision as a family, sometimes this can be difficult. However, if you use a senior placement agency you can rely on them to find accommodation that will suit what your parents want, and what your requests are as concerned children. Create a strategy and follow up on each other by holding regular conversations. Create a strategy and follow up on each other by holding regular conversations.

Empathize with your parents’ feelings

Aging could be more challenging for your parents than it is for you. Your parents, being used to taking care of you, may have a hard time asking you for help. As much as you expect them to be okay with the situation, try to put yourself in their shoes. When communicating with them, listen and have an empathetic perspective. Allow your parents to express their feelings of loss and find alternatives to retain some level of control.

Evaluate your feelings

The only way to come to terms with your parents getting older is by evaluating how you feel. It’s also a good start to enable you to care for and support them emotionally. Your initial reactions will be grief and fear when you begin to notice that your dad or mom is becoming less functional and frail.

If you’ve always thought of your parents as strong and capable, the reverse role of caring for them is frightening. You start to grieve about the process of life transitions, and when you begin to endure it, feelings of guilt, sorrow, and anger begin to overwhelm you. However, these are normal reactions, and you can only control what you can.

Listen and involve your parents in decision-making

As much as you’re now the caregiver, listen to what your parents need and what works for them to ensure they age happily. Despite holding discussions with your siblings, make decisions concerning your parents based on their preferences. For example, when deciding on caregiving, let them make contributions on whether they prefer assisted care living or home-based care. The goal is to solve problems together instead of dictating. Do your homework and research possible to help in a better informed and less stressful manner.

Take care of their health

Aging parents are more susceptible to ailments, and even when they’re feeling well, they could be having undetected health problems. Take them for regular health checkups to prolong their lifespan and help them lead a healthier life. Tweak their lifestyle to help them age gracefully, for example, keeping them active with exercise, taking them out to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, and preparing nutritious diets. Be with your parents the whole way and partake in healthy activities with them like exercise to provide encouragement and support.

Bottom line

The cycle of life dictates that everything that has a beginning has an end. To watch your parents grow older and frail can be heartbreaking, but you must accept the reality. Understand that your parents may be going through a more challenging time dealing with a transition and health problems in older adults. The best way to come to terms with this fact is by evaluating your feelings and knowing how to deal with them to take better care of your parents.

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