Your parents took care of you in the first few years of your life. Now, it’s time for you to take the parenting hat and look after them. To ensure that they continue to live life to the fullest even during their senior years, here are some tips you should consider.
Keep them on the move
Encourage your parents to maintain an active lifestyle by helping them keep a daily exercise regimen. This will not only strengthen their muscles and improve their balance and cognitive ability but also keep them in a positive mood.
If they have a hard time moving around, you can get them mobility equipment from suppliers such as Active Mobility Systems. Tools like crutches, walking sticks and mobility scooters can help them get around and do some errands, effectively increasing their confidence and self-esteem.
Encourage new hobbies
Getting them engaged in a new hobby or recreation will divert their attention to that newfound passion. You can get them to sign up for a class or seminar for this pursuit, and it will be an avenue for them to meet other people who share the same interest.
This way, their days will be filled with something they are passionate about, eliminating or lowering the risk of negative feelings like boredom and worthlessness.
Create a safe living space
It’s imperative for your parents to move independently around your home to ward off feelings of self-pity and helplessness. To facilitate this, you’ll have to make some necessary changes in your house. For instance, staircases and floors should have non-slip surfaces, every room should have ample lighting, clutters have to be eliminated, and there should be sturdy rails in the bathroom and staircase.
Also, for prompt response during an emergency and for your peace of mind as well, you can have a medical alert system installed.
Mind their health
Are they taking their prescribed medication? Do they show up for their schedule physician appointment? Are they eating healthy food? Are they staying away from food that’s contraindicated with their medical condition? These are just some of the vital questions you need to know the answers to.
If you’re living far from them, make it a point to check up on your parents now and then to make sure they’re taking care of their health.
Spend quality time with them
You’re busy and you have a lot of things to do. But even so, you have to carve out some time from your busy schedule and make it a point to spend quality time with your ageing parents. Technology has made this possible even if you’re thousands of miles away. You can video call them and get them to talk to you about their day, new hobby, and most importantly, concerns.
Spend holidays or special occasions with them whenever possible. This reassures them that they’re not alone. And being around family and friends is one sure way of keeping loneliness, depression, and other mental health issues that are common among seniors.
Make sure your parents are getting the most out of their senior years with these few tips. These can spell the difference between a fulfilling life and feelings of longing or pain.