How often do we really prioritize our senior adults/ Parents? Have you ever thought, in what ways can we honor our elders and care for them?
Old age is a sensitive phase; elderly people need care and comfort to lead a healthy life without worries and anxiety. Lack of awareness regarding the changing behavioral patterns in elderly people at home leads to them being either neglected or treated differently by their kin.
Senior adults and older parents are often overlooked in the care and honour department. They’re often seen as “the old folks” or “the grandparents”, and people forget that they have a lot to offer.
Aging is a natural process. The body is not designed to live forever, and eventually it will fail to function as it once did. This can be a difficult time for both the person who is aging and their loved ones who are trying to care for them.
Recent times have been a difficult ride for all of us, especially our elderly, and the past and the past couple of years have been more challenging, especially with the onset of new protocols surrounding the COVID-19. Isolation can be devastating to the mental health of fragile seniors, and during these years it has risen to an alarming level. The Centre for Disease Control- study for mental health says, in older adults aged 55+, approximately 30% of seniors experience some type of mental health concern.
There are many factors that can affect the quality of life of senior adults and older parents. The following are some of the most common:
- Mobility Issues
- Cognitive decline (dementia, Alzheimer’s disease)
- Communication Difficulties
- Safety Concerns
- Social isolation and loneliness
- Financial problems
- Poor health and physical disability
- Lack of transportation and mobility issues
- Chronic illness
- Loss of independence
Elders suffering from cognitive challenges undergo serious personality changes; at this point they need care and attention. When they are left unattended, most of them are gripped with overwhelming feelings of dejection, purposelessness; some of them even turn violent.
We all know that seniors and older parents are incredibly important to us—they’re the people who raised us, who gave us life and love and how much they have sacrificed for us. But as we grow up and start our own families, it can feel like we’re putting their needs behind ours, because we are too busy with our own lives and careers.
As a child, you may have been taught the importance of caring for your parents and older family members. As an adult, it’s important to continue that tradition—and to teach your children the value of caring for their elders as well. We need them to be healthy, active, and contributing members of our communities.
As you care for your parents, it’s important to remember that the way you treat them has an impact on the way they feel about themselves and their quality of life. If you are caring for a senior or an older parent, here are some tips for making sure that they stay safe, healthy, and happy. Even if you don’t live with them anymore, the most important thing you can do for an older adult is to make sure they feel loved and cared for.
Here are are a few things you can do to make sure your senior loved ones are getting the best possible care and living a life of honour and dignity:
- Get them involved with your life. Older adults often want to feel like they’re still part of the action, and it’s easy to forget how much they love hearing about what’s happening in your life. Even if it’s just a quick text, or a “how was your day?” phone call, tell them about what you’ve been up to lately!
- Ask them questions about themselves! Don’t assume that because someone is older than you that they don’t have anything going on in their lives—it may just be that they haven’t told you yet! Take the time to ask them about their hobbies and interests, or any fun experiences they’ve had lately (or if they have any plans). You’d be surprised how much an older adult will enjoy sharing these details with someone who cares enough to listen!
- Give them something unexpected—like flowers or a book or something else sweet and thoughtful.
- Invite them to join you in things that interest them or make them happy. Play fun games like Heritage Puzzle with them. Discuss family heritage, history and traditions. Visit your aging loved ones during the holidays to no to not only reconnect, but also gather pieces of their heritage puzzle. This can provide important info to pass on for posterity. After all, information about families is lost in three generations if not written down. Crossword puzzles, sudoku, other brain games, reading, and writing are all great activities for mental stimulation. Having a sharp and active mind improves overall well-being.
- Involve them in decision making. Let them know that you appreciate their help or input on matters that are important to you. Consider engaging with them in activities that they enjoy doing or have done in the past (ex: gardening, crafts)
- Ask what they need from you and do your best to provide it (e.g., help with chores or errands). Communicate – It’s important to talk openly about what you can do for them, what they can do for themselves, and what kind of help they might need from others. Your family member may not want to admit that they need help or assistance with daily tasks like bathing or dressing themselves—but it’s important to keep trying until you find out what works best for them!
- Stay in touch via phone calls or visits when possible; these can be especially important if you live far away from each other geographically or virtually (via social media).
- Be kind and respectful at all times; don’t forget that they’ve lived through a lot! By giving them the right to exercise their choice and asking them what they’d like to change, you can help them stay healthy while also ensuring they’re happy with their choices.
- Watch out for any signs of depression or mental illness; seek professional help from a Mental Health Expert, a Therapist, Life Coach or a Counselor immediately if needed.
- Help them find ways to stay active in their community—whether that means joining a book club or volunteering at a local charity, finding ways to give back to the society and make their contribution worthwhile.
- Listen to what they have to say- Without Judging them. They may have an advice for you that you need to hear. Give them that attention they showered on you when you were a toddler.
a) Acknowledge their wisdom. Ask your parents or grandparents about their childhoods and their experiences growing up so that you can learn from them and also appreciate what they went through during their lives as well as appreciate who they are today!
- Express your Love to them. Give them a hug or kiss each morning before heading out into the world! This will let them know how much love they mean to you, plus it’s good for both sides of the relationship!
- Be mindful of their feeble memory – If your loved one has trouble remembering things or making decisions, try giving them options instead of asking questions directly (like “what would you like for dinner?”). This will help them feel more empowered over their own choices while still being able to discuss options with someone else if needed.
- Ensure their Physical wellbeing by making sure they eat well, exercise well and sleep well. Make sure they’re taking their medication properly (and staying hydrated).
- Take care of home safety basics. Making sure all floors and walkways are clear of clutter, cords, and rugs. Add grab bars in the bathroom and stair railings throughout. Update lights so all rooms are bright, and switches are easily accessible. Ensure, all appliances including mobile phones work well and are within easy reach. Minimize the need to use stepstools or bend down low. This will prevent falls and injuries.
We all know that aging is inevitable, but there are some things you can do to ease the process along and make it easier on yourself and your loved ones. We hope that you found our tips for caring for seniors and older parents valuable. Happy Caring and Happy Living!
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