8 Issues To Address When Helping Elderly Parents

As you begin to provide assistance to your aging parents, it is important to understand the different types of issues that you will need to address. These issues include activities of daily living, medical and health issues, and legal and financial concerns. Understanding these issues will allow you to find positive solutions and reduce your stress and frustration.

1. Helping With Activities Of Daily Living

Helping older parents with activities of daily living (ADLs) is an important aspect of senior care. Whether the aging parent is physically or cognitively impaired, it is essential to assess their abilities before offering assistance. An ADL checklist can help caregivers monitor their loved one’s performance. They can also take the checklist with them to medical checkups. It is also important to consider the time of day when assessing the needs of an older parent. Seniors are more cognitively alert in the morning than in the afternoon.

It is important for caregivers to be familiar with the ADL and IADLs of an aging parent. By knowing how many of these tasks your loved one requires and how much help they need, you can provide the best possible care. You can also check with a guide for more information on these tasks.

While providing assistance for your aging parent, be sure to take care of yourself. Being a caregiver can take a toll on your health and can be emotionally draining. The local Area Agency on Aging, a network of nonprofits serving older adults, can help you connect with services and resources such as respite care, transportation, and home care aides. Caregivers should also consider taking care of themselves and maintaining their own financial goals.

2. Safety Issues

While you’re taking care of your aging parents, safety issues are critical to their health and safety. A fall can lead to a serious injury, or even death. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to prevent accidents from occurring. First, eliminate tripping hazards. For example, avoid leaving cords running across hallways. Also, keep hallways bright and well-lit. Dim lighting can cause falls, especially when the elderly are disoriented or their eyesight is failing.

As the holidays approach, many adults look forward to visiting their aging parents. In many cases, this is the first visit to their parents for months. As a result, adult children may notice changes in their loved one’s appearance, behavior, and home. If they do, this could be an indication that their aging parents need more help.

The best way to start helping your parents is to acknowledge their needs and respect their autonomy. This will make it easier to give the help your aging parents need. The goal of the visit is to give them the best care possible. This can be hard to do when your parents are resistant to help. But remember, it’s crucial to listen to their concerns and try to find a middle ground between their wishes and the advice of a health professional.

3. Medical & Health Issues

There are many important questions to ask your parents when it comes to their health. Knowing their medical history can help you make decisions for their care. Make sure to find out if they have any powers of attorney or advance directives. While these conversations may be difficult, they will help you make decisions in your best interests. There are also many local resources that can help you make the right healthcare decisions for your parent.

You must also consider your parent’s age. Sometimes, it may be difficult for your parent to ask for help, especially if they are not used to it. But you should always listen to what they have to say and offer to help. This will make them feel that you are interested in their well-being and want to support them. If they refuse, repeat your offer, but don’t force it.

Be prepared for medical emergencies. Many older parents may have to be admitted to the hospital because they are suffering from a medical condition. They may also be afraid of talking about any new symptoms or treatments.

4. Financial Issues

Financial issues should be discussed at length with your parents. Often, emotions can run high as the discussion turns to financial issues. Your parents may not understand their financial situation, or they may accuse you of taking control of their estate. If you want to avoid unnecessary conflicts, it is helpful to plan a series of meetings over several weeks.

Depending on the state of their health, your elderly parents may need help with their finances. You should discuss these issues with them and put them in writing. This will help prevent legal problems and keep the peace within the family. Bad communication is one of the primary causes of many financial and legal problems between family members. It is also important to make the agreement easy to access and make it easy for all family members to sign.

5. Housing Issues

When helping your aging parents, you may need to make accommodations in the physical living area. It can be necessary to make the home more accessible, such as by installing ramps or to make the home more secure. Home adaptations can be inexpensive, but will require careful planning. Some families may opt to build an addition, or lease a modular “accessory apartment.”

In many cases, an aging parent prefers to live in their own home, but that isn’t always possible. For those who can’t live independently, there are community resources that provide in-home assistance and support. These services can include transportation and housekeeping services. However, older individuals may not accept help if they feel meddling or unneeded, so it’s important to discuss this with them beforehand. For those who are able to help their parents live alone, a one-story home or apartment may be possible.

Increasingly, families are building in-law apartments to provide additional living space for aging parents. These apartments are separate structures with separate entrances and bathrooms. They can be built over a garage, basement, or separate building. These apartments are more expensive than a bedroom in a parent’s home, but they can provide peace of mind and prevent conflict in tight living conditions.

6. Quality Of Life & Helping Your Older Parent Thrive

There are a number of ways you can help your loved one live a quality life. One way is to make proactive decisions about their care. You can do this by using a checklist, which you can update as necessary. This checklist can include things such as mobility, finances, relationships, and other important daily activities. It can also help you know when your loved one is having problems performing these tasks.

7. Planning Ahead

Planning ahead for your parent’s care is a must. You will need to consider the costs of medical care, living arrangements, and everyday necessities. Fortunately, there are programs and government grants available to help cover these costs. It is also a good idea to consult a financial planner or elder law attorney before making any decisions. Planning ahead can prevent a financial crunch in the future and reduce the stress and hassle of caring for your parent.

In addition to preparing for the future, planning ahead will ensure that all family members are on the same page. It is also helpful to have open conversations about issues such as wills and care. Avoiding open discussions can have negative consequences. For example, your parent may not be able to remember certain details that were discussed when they were younger. If this is the case, planning ahead will make sure that you are prepared to discuss these issues with your parent.

It’s important to have an honest discussion with your parent about their feelings about aging. Try to understand their fears and how they would feel if they were unable to live independently. Ask them what kind of help they need and whom they would like to have when they are unable to care for themselves. It is also important to keep in mind their feelings regarding leaving home.

8. Managing Relationships & Family Dynamics

When you’re helping an older parent, there are many changes that can take place. However, there are some basic principles that you can use to foster a positive relationship between you and your elderly parent. These include accepting their feelings, showing respect and compassion, and having faith.

One of the most challenging aspects of caring for an older parent is navigating the relationship challenges. In some instances, well-intentioned people may inadvertently infringe on the autonomy of their older relatives, or they may even sabotage their independence. In many cases, these situations can result in chronic stress and strained relationships. To avoid this, you must learn to improve your communication skills.

The best way to approach the topic of changing relationships is to be open and honest. By being open and honest, you can evaluate the overall health of your parent and identify any warning signs that may indicate a problem.

Call us or contact us today if you need assistance caring for your elderly parents! Visit our blog for more exciting articles about senior care in Houston.