Are we prepared to take care of our parents when old age comes? See some tips that can help with this planning.
The aging process of those in Aging society (สังคม สูง วัย which is the term in Thai) or age has become more common and has placed those who have always been protected in the role of protectors. Taking care of elderly parents has become an increasingly common task in the society we live in, and having to deal with the challenges of this new reality is not always so easy.
Below we have prepared three tips that will help you deal with the challenges of caring for your elderly parents:
- Plan Ahead – Talk To Your Parents:
Before your parents need effective care, you will need to have a friendly conversation about it. This is the best time, as it will give them time to plan for the future, as aging in Brazil is increasingly common. However, it is always good to remember that old age is seen by many as synonymous with abandonment, and this can be a conversation that can make your parents uncomfortable. It’s up to you, son, to make the matter flow in a very natural way.
You might start by telling a story about the parents of a friend of yours or about people you know who are going through the same situation. That way, getting familiar with the topic of conversation will be easier.
Start the dialogue by asking your parents what their expectations are for old age. Ask if they have any financial reserves to hire a caregiver for the elderly or if they prefer to be assisted by a family member.
Ask them if they have any plans for retirement and where they would like to live in old age. Most parents tend to say that they would like to live in the same house, where they have lived their entire lives and raised their children. Be understanding of their need for independence.
Be honest with them about your fears, difficulties, anxieties, and other pitfalls of becoming a caregiver for their parents. The positive side of talking to parents about old age in advance is being able to plan beneficially for the task, making it something more pleasurable in the future for both of them.
- Know Your Parents’ Care Needs In Old Age:
The types of care that elderly parents need vary greatly, depending on their physical and mental conditions.
Thus, some elderly parents need full-time care, including primary care such as hygiene, nutrition, and physiological needs. Generally, these limitations are caused by some dementias that impair the elderly’s ability to communicate, causing behavioral disorders and memory lapses. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are examples of dementia that cause devastating effects on the human body.
On the other hand, other older parents need company only to perform outside activities, such as going to the bank, supermarket, medical appointments, and social events, such as birthdays and weddings. The limitation of movement is one of the consequences of old age and having someone in the family around at these times is essential to ensure the safety of the elderly. If your elderly parents belong to the first group (in need of full-time care), help from an elderly caregiver or professional nurse is a good alternative. But if the family cannot afford the expenses to maintain a professional daily with the elderly, a child who has more affinity with the parents can assume this role. If your elderly parents belong to the second group (independence), it is much easier to be caregivers for their parents because they need affection, attention, and good company (yours)!
- Let Your Elderly Parents Feel Useful:
Don’t stop your aging parents from doing small household chores like gardening, cooking, or washing the dishes. Depending on the health condition of the older adult, these tasks may be performed without the supervision of a caregiver.
Their children can help parents with reduced mobility or some type of early-stage dementia in these little household chores. Performing these tasks in pairs or even in groups will make the elderly feel useful and will be a great way to occupy their minds and provide good conversations during work.
