10 Tips for Helping Your Parents as They Grow Old
Just as you were once totally dependent on your parents, so as they age, they will become increasingly dependent on you. This can be a joy or an enormous burden. Here are some ways to help them, without compromising your plans.
1. Walk in their shoes - The hopefully gradual physical decline of old age can be very depressing. Imagine what you’ll feel like when it happens to you. It will help you understand how they feel.
2. Encourage experimenting - Older people focus too often on what’s no longer achievable. Get them to try new things you know are possible.
3. Agree to the ground rules. - If you don’t want them to ring you every evening for a chat, suggest a time and frequency you can both live with.
4. Accept the gifts - At times, old people seem desperate to give stuff away. Accept their gifts but be prepareed to return them later if necessary.
5. Keep them moving - Even though the joints might creak and they can not longer run, it’s important to keep them mobile.
6. Don’t take bribes - You might like the idea of your parents buying you a big house so that you can all live together. After 20 years though, it might not be so much fun.
7. Ignore emotional blackmail - It’s tough, but just because they wiped your bottom when you were a baby, you don’t need to nurse them when they’re old. Help out by all means, but don’t become a caregiver, unless that frms part of your own life plan. As their child they look to you for emotional support, as did for you when you were younger.
8. Hear it again - Old age is a time when favorite anecdotes and stories are shared time and time again. You need to be patient and let them tell you the same stories again and again.
9. Answers to ultimate questions - Your again parents will be more aware of their own mortality than they have ever been before. Preparing for death is a scary prospect; encourage them to explore their faith if they have one.
10. Lost some marbles - Remember that the brain fades in old age. They might not understand how demanding they’re becoming. Remember, emotional support is needed in preparing for death
” Ten Things You Need To Know About Everything That Matters - The Life Guide ” by Robert Ashton