One of the hardest and most rewarding experiences of your life could be caring for your elderly parents.

On the one hand, it feels good to be able to thank your parents for all of their love, care, and support when you most need it. On the other hand, as your parents become more dependent on you for their daily activities, you now have to cope with the anxiety, stress, and time it takes to take care of them.

Our senior care professionals have provided the following 5 recommendations to assist you in taking care of your elderly parents.

1. Set Expectations

You should talk about one another’s boundaries and expectations as you approach this new chapter in your relationship before you begin caring for an elderly parent. This step is equally important for everyone, as it is a significant life change for all involved.

Patience and compassion are needed while taking care of elderly parents. Try to understand that your parents are not the same person they were when they were younger. For everyone, accepting aging and all of its effects is difficult.

2. Communication

One of the most proactive things you can do is to speak with your elderly parents as soon as possible, even before problems emerge. So that you and other family members are on the same page and can put a plan in place for the distant or near future, start talking about their desires and views as soon as you can. In order for them to feel heard and understood, it is crucial to pay attention to their wishes and comprehend their problems.

3. Make The Home Accessible and Safe

It is evident that no one likes depending on someone for everything, and the same applies to senior citizens. To give your elderly parent(s) a sense of independence, you can make the house accessible and safe. Areas that may pose a risk to the elderly: 

• Bedroom (place a lamp, telephone, or flashlight near the bed);
• Living areas (have clear pathways between rooms);
• Bathroom (place a slip-resistant rug adjacent to the bathtub for safe exit and entry);
• Kitchen area (store food, dishes, and cooking equipment within reach).

Many slips and falls are due to hazards that are easy to fix. By making some simple changes, you can decrease the chances of injury and help protect your loved ones. 

4. Always Keep Them Engaged and Active

Encourage the elderly in your care to prepare at least one meal each day, walk about the home to pick up little items, and perform easy housework that stretches the body.

If you want to offer guidance and assistance in keeping your loved ones healthy and active, here are some activities: 

• Dancing With Friends;
• Teaching a New Skill to Others;
• Water Aerobics;
• Fitness;
• Yoga;
• Walking.

5. Hire Long-Term Help

Even when you approach it gradually, providing care for elderly parents can still be a lot to handle. You don’t have to do it alone, though. There are many choices and resources available for family carers, for example, caregivers who come to your parent’s home to take care of them. You can work with an agency or recruit carers on your own.

It’s a challenging job taking care of elderly parents. It may be physically taxing, as well as emotionally exhausting. Additionally, it can be quite challenging to do when you have your own life and a family to take care of. In these situations, we step in to provide the best home care services in New York City. We specialize in helping elderly and disabled people with medical assistance to maintain their independence and receive service in the comfort of their own homes. Contact us today to learn more about our services at 718-285-0096.