Besides being a bit more short-tempered than he was in his younger years, Dad is still being Dad. He still smokes and drinks like he was in his 20s, and he’s still never met a vegetable that he liked. You love him dearly and want him to take better care of himself, but it seems that the more you admonish him about his lifestyle, the more he digs his heels in. Just like it never worked for our parents when we were teenagers, it doesn’t work very well for us when we get into the “telling” mode and strongly conveys our feelings of dissatisfaction when helping our aging parent beat their harmful habits. “I’m old enough to know what I’m doing” is a common refrain to our suggested changes.
Don’t feel alone if you’re frustrated by some of the lifestyle choices Mom or Dad is making that you believe are affecting their health and well negatively impact their longevity. Many children struggle with helping an aging parent overcome harmful habits.
Fortunately, some kids have been kind enough to give us some words of wisdom on how they’ve dealt with this challenge. Here are four ideas that can help.
Set an example
“Do as I say, not as I do” never works for anyone. For example, if you want your parent to start a walking regimen, yet they’ve never seen you getting any exercise, you stand very little chance of getting them off the couch.
On the other hand, if they see you working out regularly and that you look healthy and are full of energy, they’re much more likely to join you for a walk around the block after dinner or start practicing yoga at home.
Ask their doctor for help
Many parents are much more likely to listen to their doctor’s advice than they are their kids’. Most older adults hold their doctors in high esteem and will listen to their suggestions much more readily than they will.
Doctors experienced in dealing with seniors have a way of using their credibility to modify behavior. Take advantage of that, and enlist the help of their dentist and eye doctor as well.
Develop nutritious meal plans
Many seniors lose interest in cooking as they age. As a result, their eating habits become unhealthy, and their overall health suffers. You can help them improve their eating habits by creating a healthy menu for them each week and helping them shop for the ingredients.
Many children turn to home care agencies like Assisting Hands Home Care for help with shopping and meal preparation. Their professional caregivers ensure that seniors are eating nutritious meals every day in the comfort of their own home, not eating food in an institutionalized setting. Caregivers will not only shop for the right ingredients and prepare the meal, but they’ll also clean the kitchen afterward.
Encourage social interaction
Some seniors develop unhealthy habits because they become isolated. Help your parent locate groups they can join, online or in-person, that will keep them in regular contact with other people. This will positively impact their overall mental health, which will make them much more open to stopping harmful habits.
Not all seniors have the same physical and emotional needs, which is why Assisting Hands Home Care of Northwest Boston creates individualized care plans for all of our clients.
Give us a call today to schedule your FREE consultation with one of our caring staff members. Whether you need assistance for a few hours a day or round-the-clock, we’re here to help seniors living in Wellesley, Newton, Brookline and many other communities throughout Northwest Boston continue living independently in the comfort of their own homes.
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