Women's Life Link Be Well, Be Happy, Be YOU!
The vast majority of people are supported in various ways by their parents. That, however, changes as they get older. At some point, our parents become slightly less independent than they’re used to, and need us — as well as others — to pick up some of the slack. By taking a proactive approach to support your parents, you help meet their basic needs. Additionally, it helps them to enjoy life as much as possible. Even a little bit of effort can make a big difference. In this post, we’ll run through some handy tips to support your parents without being overly intrusive.
Check In
The simple act of checking in with your parents on a regular basis — a few times a week, or even every day — can have a big impact. People tend to become a little more withdrawn as they get older, spending more time at home and less time interacting with others. By checking in, you can provide a welcome reminder that they’re still part of a wider community. It can also serve as a motivation to them to make an extra effort to socialize. Plus, regular check-ins will allow you to identify any potential issues as early as possible.
Provide Support
It becomes more difficult to manage the essentials of life when we get older. Even things like keeping the house clean or preparing healthy meals can be tiresome and often gets left undone. One handy way to help your parents is to provide domestic support without waiting to be asked (on the basis that pride may prevent them from ever asking). Doing a bit of quick cleaning or dropping some frozen meals that can quickly be heated up at dinner time is a big help. Such actions also give you peace of mind that the basics are covered.
Help with Logistics
Aging parents can also find it more challenging to manage life’s logistical matters. Tasks such as managing doctor’s appointments, finances, or finding living arrangements can be overwhelming. Playing an active role in these matters is a big help with functioning independently and making good decisions. Accompanying them to appointments or a meeting with senior living advisors ultimately serves them well, especially if they are disabled in any way. These simple acts can help them find quality housing, proper financial planning, and health advice. Driving them to/from their doctor’s appointments means the world to them. You can also just simply let them know that you’re always there for whatever they need.
Enjoy Life with Them
Finally, remember that your parents will also want to enjoy life as much as they can. Make sure you dedicate time socialiaing with them as well as putting together fun plans that they’ll enjoy. Hosting family dinners, planning trips to nearby places that they love makes life more enjoyable for everyone involved. Simply spending quality time together can increase their happiness and life satisfaction levels. Support your parents in ways that work for your life and help them the most.
