How To Help Your Parents When They Get Older
Reaching an advanced age can give vertigo due to the large number of changes it involves. Your social status changes, your routines and activities change drastically, and you may feel lost. It is in these times of need that helping your parents becomes a way of giving them back a little of all that love they gave you.
Our parents. Those people who gave us life and watched us grow. Those who accompanied our first steps and heard our first words. Who celebrated our successes and dried our tears. Teachers, friends, essential companions on the path of life. We owe them who we are.
When our parents get older it is common that we do not realize their needs. After all, we are already adults, we have our own lives, habits and obligations. However, we have to put ourselves, for a second, in their shoes and remember that they need us too.
How to help your parents when they get older?
Understanding and patience
These two elements are essential when we face the aging of our loved ones. The third age is a complicated stage. When we stop working, our social status declines: society stops considering us an active member and relegates us in a certain way. People with whom we previously worked or did business no longer come to us for opinion. It seems that we no longer have anything to contribute.
Our daily routines change, our activities are reduced, and we may lose much of our social circle. On the other hand, our health begins to weaken, we are no longer so agile, we do not have such good sight and hearing. We begin to suffer small pains or ailments that make our day to day difficult.
It is very likely that, sooner or later, we will not be able to fully fend for ourselves. And this is not easy to accept. Taking in so many losses is confusing and frustrating, and we may feel sad, angry, and alone.
That is why it is important that, as children, we are able to put ourselves in the shoes of our parents. That we understand the transition you are facing and be tolerant of your complaints, your bad mood or your health difficulties.
Human warmth
Social and emotional ties are an essential part of mental health and happiness. They protect us against stress and help us cope with and overcome illness. They also increase our self-esteem and our perception of personal worth. Old age is a delicate stage in which human contact becomes more necessary than ever.
If your parents are still living independently, try to keep in touch. Call them regularly, ask how their day was, and share your own anecdotes. Feel free to visit them frequently and include them in some of the plans you make. Especially if you have children, foster a close relationship with their grandparents, as the bond that is created is very enriching for both of you.
Likewise, if your parents live in your house because they can no longer support themselves independently, do not lose your warmth. That living together is not an excuse to argue over trifles, that they do not feel that they are a burden. On the contrary, welcome them into your home and try to enjoy their company. Make them part of the daily life of the house, that will help them feel useful and integrated into the family nucleus.
Financial assistance
Your parents may need assistance due to their health problems. They may need to go to a day home or a nursing home. Without going so far, it is common for the elderly to go through financial difficulties and require the support of their children. Try to help them as much as possible, as they helped you when you needed it.
Enjoy helping your parents
Finally, never forget the deep bond that binds you to them. Do not forget that regardless of the changes in their mood or their mobility difficulties, they are still your parents. People who love you unconditionally. Remember every day to have a patient and positive attitude, try to enjoy every second by their side and keep learning from them. Being able to hug your parents today is a gift, enjoy it.
