young woman and old woman

April 11, 2020 2 min to read

Caring for your elderly parents: how to prepare to be a caregiver

Category : Health

If you currently have aging or elderly parents, you know that they may be in need of help in order to keep them safe and healthy.

As a child of elderly parents, it’s crucial to understand how you can be a better caregiver to those who took care of you through your formative years.

Read on to learn how you can prepare to be a caregiver as well as some tips and suggestions that will make the transition easier for everyone involved.

Stay in Good Communication

Not only do the elderly tend to feel more isolated, but they may also need a bit of extra communication to ensure that they’re doing alright. As a child of elderly parents, try to call them at least every other day, even if it’s just to say hello.

When you keep the lines of communication flowing, it offers reassurance and comfort. If your parents are able, use an app like Facetime so you can enjoy a more intimate, “face-to-face” experience when you talk.

Even if you have a busy schedule, try to call your parents in the morning before you head to work, or in the evening when you get home.

If you happen to live near your aging parents, it’s even better if you can stop by for a visit on a weekly basis whenever possible.

Personal contact is crucial to ensuring that your parents feel loved and that they’re being taken care of properly. Offer to stop by for a meal or bring them groceries so you can keep the family unit intact.

If you don’t live nearby, enlist the help of a trusted neighbor or family friend to perform weekly visits.

Offer Your Elderly Parents a Place to Live

Whether you have just one parent living or if both are still with you, it might be time to consider their current living arrangements. As people age, it can be more difficult to get around and there could also be a few serious safety issues at play.

Consider offering a spare bedroom to your parents or if you have the budget, you might be able to construct an addition to your home.

If you have an extra room over the garage, consider moving one of your older children there and giving your parents a bedroom.

There are a lot of options available if you decide that having mom and dad live with you is something you can handle…
 
Continue reading the article and learn more about caregivers on Life Is An Episode website.
 
 

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