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Caring for aging parents is more common than ever before.


elderly woman with younger daughterCare of the elderly in today's society is an increasingly important issue, especially with higher life expectancy and an aging society. Whilst it is easy to see the challenges which are faced by society when it comes to the welfare of our own parents, suddenly they become very real as we see how it all impacts on those who we love.


According to Carers UK, 1 in 8 adults in the UK at the moment care for family or friends, and they are predicting that by 2035, the number of adults over the age of 85 who will need round the clock care will double – to a staggering 450,000 people.

Looking after our elderly parents is a priority for many people – it was, after all, them who looked after most of us when we were growing up. However, it can put a strain on our lives both in terms of stress and time, as well as financially. It is important, therefore, to make sure that what you are doing to help to look after your aging parents is effective.

Of course, different people have different needs, so it is important to be aware of your loved one’s specific issues and needs to give them as comfortable a life as possible.


Loneliness

One of the biggest issues that face older people in today’s society is loneliness. It might be due to the loss of a partner or decline in mobility, for example, that people suffer from isolation. This can lead to mental health issues as well as a reduction in quality of life. It is therefore important that you as a family try to both encourage activities which might reduce loneliness as well as be around your aging parents as much as possible.

Social activities such as lunch clubs, bridge, historic meetings, coffee mornings, choirs, day trips or other hobbies are a great way to encourage sociability and combat loneliness – and often these kind of activities can be tailored to incorporate the needs of older people.

Regular visits from the family, inclusion, and arranging visits with parents can also be extremely valuable.
 
Caring for an aging senior parent
 

Help at Home

There are some activities and chores that become more difficult to do properly as we get older. Tasks such as cleaning, cooking and accurately taking medication can become problematic and for some people, the best solution to this is to ask for a caregiver to come to their home.

It might be for half an hour twice a week, or it might be daily overnight stays. There are care companies that can provide live-in carers, who know how to look after people properly and can be there to help out with any needs that your aging loved ones might have.

It might seem that you could do this yourself, but by having a caregiver attend these needs of your parent, you are free to be more flexible over times, and ensure that the time that you spend with your loved one is enjoyable.
Tips for Caring for an aging senior parent

Activity and Art

Research has shown that activity is important as we get older. It is true what they say when they say that it keeps us young. Try to keep your parents as active as possible (within reason) to reduce the risk of getting a number of health problems including heart disease and dementia. Walking or playing with children is a great way to stay active.

Art and creativity can also play an important part in boosting mental and physical well-being. You could paint or dance together, or maybe encourage learning to play a musical instrument.

Support

It is important to remember that although people are getting older, they are still capable adults. Try to support them through the process of perhaps being less able to do everything that they used to – but without treating them like a child.
Independence is important for many people. Ensuring that they have a mobile phone or watch alarm system can enable people to still be independent whilst keeping your mind at ease that you can be contacted should anything happen.

Look After Yourself

It can be easy to get so caught up in looking after someone else that you forget to look after yourself. Mental health problems can be a serious issue for many caregivers – especially if they are family members, and, frankly, if you are not well, how can you adequately look after someone else? Make sure that you look after yourself both physically and mentally so that you can care for your loved ones properly too.  Mindful medication can help a lot!

Being able to look after our aging parents is a concern for many of us. However, there is help out there – be it through letting a care company take some of the weight or by using other support groups. By understanding the needs of older people better, we can ensure that the time that we spend with our loved ones and the effort that we put in is as effective as possible.

- Guest Article by Ella Hendrix. Ella is a freelance writer, typically covering articles on family wellness, elderly care and child psychology.

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