The goal is living a long life. To raise a family, work a prosperous career, and save for retirement. This is the cycle of the modern human, as some will argue “Is that it?” is that all there is to life? At some point in life, as one grows older and health issues arises, they realize they’re getting old.
What parents do is sacrifice for their children, raise them to become mature, so they’ll have successful careers and families of their own, prolonging the family name. This the target of a life well lived. Then the tables are turned, where the child in gratitude begins to feel obligated towards helping their parents, to take care of them.
This obligation that we feel towards our parents, who gave us life, and hopefully guided us the best way they knew, we can only repay them back by helping them as they age.
To take care of them, this by strengthening our relationship with them. To forgive them, to give them your unconditional love, this when they need you the most.
Giving Your Emotional Support
This is in hopes that the child is gracious enough to forgive all the wrongdoings, as people are dysfunctional in all walks of life. That the child understands, this by flushing all grievances under the bridge.
So converse with your parents, comfort them, talk to them about their life, that they’re in good hands, that they’re going through the aging process, and that you’re there to make it as accommodating as possible. Tell them everything’s okay, and you’ll be with them until the end.
Take Care Of Their Aging Health
One of the casualties of the aging process is that the body begins to shut down, and health issues arise. What lessens is the comforts of life that they once enjoyed.
So keep track of their health, make sure that their wellness is monitored by consulting with their doctors and caretakers, this on a continual basis.
Be prepared by having all the medical alert precautions in place, this in case of emergency. Make sure that your parents have immediate access for help.
Make Sure They’re Financially Stable
Often, parents don’t want to bother their children, this especially if it’s fractured. The worst possible scenario is they may be facing financial difficulties, and they don’t dare ask. So always approach them, this to make sure there’s no issues.
Just knowing this will make them feel better. Discuss if their source of income such as their pension checks or social security, is sufficient. Check to see if there’s an “emergency” fund for unforeseen circumstances.
Converse With Them Often
Never make them feel they’re a nuisance, this especially if they contact you with any of their concerns. Make sure that you call them frequently, just to check in, just to make sure they’re stable. Ask how their health is.
Make conversation about when you’ll be meeting them next. Just the sound of your voice is comforting and assuring. Keep things as routine as possible, and meet them on a regular basis. Tell them you’ll see them soon, and it’s not a bother.
Have Patience With Them
Extend the same patience they offered you as a child. One of the first causalities of the aging process is memory loss leading to confusion, such as forgetting where they left their belongings, or planning on doing something, and then forgetting what.
Start to monitor their behavior, their mental decline and emotions. Keep track of their daily routine. Know the things they like, offer your sympathy if they can no longer do their previous routines or habits, while still giving them their independence if they want to do things.
Make Plans For Family Meetings And Events
Give them something to look forward to. It could be a weekly meeting for lunch, or arrange events you can both attend on a monthly basis. Something they’ll mark on their calendar and plan for.
Arrange to meet other family members, especially during the major holidays and birthdays throughout the year. Make plans and arrange meetings with their grand children, and do so often, making it a routine occurrence.
Arrange Community Programs And Events
What most will enjoy is meeting with other elders, this to share their thoughts and happenstance with, so make sure they have friends in the same age group. This gives them a peer-to-peer support group, where they can relate to each other.
Find and arrange social groups where seniors meet, where they can just hang out with others in the same circumstance.
Set up weekly recreational events for them such as bingo, or a group lunch meeting every other weekend. What they’ll feel is younger and more enthusiastic, as they compare themselves to others in their same age group.
Make All The Necessary Arrangements
Assess their current condition, and ask what their preferences are, this before making all the necessary changes and arrangements, which needs to be made.
If they have health issues, provide them will all the necessary equipment such as walkers or a wheelchair. Help them make their living quarters as comforting as possible. Ask if they want minimal, or a room filled with memories. Provide regular housekeeping for them.
If they need additional help, such as advanced nursing care or a retirement home, find a suitable place for them, one which won’t disrupt their current standard of living that much.
Just Be There
Helping your aging parents on a consistent basis gives them the assurance, that you’ll be there when they need you the most.
Once providing this constant dependable assistance, they won’t think it’s too much of a burden on your behalf, as that’s the last thing they need to worry about, that they’re a nuisance.
Give them full peace of mind in their lasting days. If there are any grievances or sibling rivalries which needs to be resolved, solved them now. Allow them to pass away in peace, as the karma will be on you. Arigato.