As you get older, your body doesn’t work the way that it used to. Your back starts hurting more, it’s harder to think critically, and you end up at the doctor’s office more often. This pattern is normal, but it’s even more dramatic for your parents as they age. They may be able to care for themselves, but oftentimes, you’ll need to step in, and it’s important you know which mistakes to avoid when caring for your aging parents. They need the best care, and that means helping them through thick and thin.
One of the worst mistakes you can make with your aging parents is not planning their care with them. As they get older, even if they’re incredibly healthy, that health will deteriorate, and ultimately, they will pass away. Therefore, you should work with them now to create plans for every aspect of their lives as the years progress. You should organize plans with them about the type of end-of-life care they want, funeral plans, wills, and plans for the little things. Create a plan or procedure for how they’ll get groceries, go to the doctor, and how they’ll spend their free time if they can no longer drive. They need your help in these instances, and you should be there helping as much as you can.
Your parents may be okay with a strong network of family and friends around them, depending on their age and ability. Or, their best option may be a nursing home or assisted living facility. It’s important to know the difference between nursing homes and assisted living facilities so you can rest easy knowing your parents are in the right place for them.
Both types of facilities offer high levels of care, but nursing homes are better for older adults with round-the-clock medical needs. You can find more doctors and nurses in these facilities, so be sure to get your parents into a nursing home instead of an assisted living facility if they have medical conditions.
Another mistake you can make is riling them up, which is easy to do as they age. For example, you and your parents are sitting, talking, and there’s a TV on in the background. You can continue to enjoy the conversation while viewing some beautiful homes and international destinations if you tune the TV to the HGTV channel. Alternatively, the conversation may turn contentious if you suddenly switch to watching the news. Do everything you can to make your parents comfortable and happy when you’re spending time with them, and keep things that could rile them up far, far away.
These are some of the biggest mistakes to avoid when caring for your aging parents, but in addition to watching for mistakes, you must ensure you’re getting them the best care. Putting them in the wrong home is a mistake, but even when they’re in the right home, you should still visit them regularly and support them, helping them through the problems aging brings. Doing this is the best way to help your parents as they navigate the rest of their lives.
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