9 Simple Ways To Help Your Aging Parents
No one wants to think about their parents’ aging, but the reality is that if you don’t take care of your aging parents NOW, then who will?
You might think that you can put off thinking about your parents, but if they are aging then it is better for them to have some preparation now. And it is also much easier for you now than when there are problems down the road.
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The worst thing you can do with an aging parent?
Not preparing now will guarantee that things don’t go as smoothly as possible.
If you are taking care of your aging parents right now, then congratulations! If not, then take a moment and really figure out what the consequences will be down the road if you don’t prepare yourself or your parents for their waning years…
Here are 9 important things every adult should consider doing to best help their aging parents.
1. Research schools
When you were in school, chances are that your parents paid the bills for your education. When it comes to aging parents, you will want to make sure they know what options are available if they start having problems paying for their college education…If you don’t know much about this topic, then maybe now is the time to research the best options for them. You might be surprised at how many options there can be out there.
2. Discuss estate planning with your parents
Your aging parents should have a will and testament… But did you know that many times will do not go into effect until AFTER death? There are other things than just money which need dividing up someone passes away… property, important documents, and sentimental items all need to be sorted out in advance.
3. Have a heart-to-heart about retirement
It might be hard to think about, but at some point, your parents will retire. This can mean different things for different people, but it is important that you have a discussion with them about what they want their retirement to look like. What are their plans? What are their goals? And how can you help them achieve those goals?
4. Make sure your parents know their medical history
One of the most important things you can do for your aging parents is to make sure they know their medical history inside and out… This means knowing everything from major surgeries to allergies and current medications. If something happens to your parents, they will be able to give doctors detailed information about their personal history if they are well versed in it.
5. Be hands-on with your parents’ finances
If you have aging parents then there is a good chance that they are not taking care of their own finances… It is essential that you sit down with them and manage this situation for them… Here is why: If something happens to your parents and no one knows how they want any money or assets divided up then someone will have to step in and deal with the bureaucracy of the court system
6. Assist when making decisions
Your aging parents might need help making decisions on some things such as housing, living situations, and even taking care of themselves. If they are starting to have a hard time making decisions then it is up to you to help make the choices for them.
7. Encourage socialization
One of the best things you can do for your aging parents is to encourage them to stay social. This means getting out and being around other people as much as possible. This can be hard if your parents don’t live near you, but there are many ways you can make this happen – such as online communities or even just visiting them more often.
8. Help with transportation needs
If your aging parents live far away from you, then one of the most important things you can do for them is help with their transportation needs… This means either visiting more often or helping them with rides if they need to get somewhere. It is important for your parents’ independence as well as their overall health.
9. Assess home safety
Your aging parents might not be able to live on their own anymore… You might need to assess whether or not they can still live safely at home without hurting themselves on a daily basis… If the answer is no, then you will want to look into different options such as assisted living and nursing homes. Depending on where they live, you might even be able to help your elderly parents find a place that delivers meals right to their door!
