Growing older is generally depicted as something to endure rather than embrace, yet studies have shown that older people are typically happier than youngsters in their twenties. Still, if you have aging parents, then you’ll want to do more than put their happiness in the hands of the latest research. Even if emotional well-being among older people is better than most people believe, it’s also true that growing older can throw up plenty of other challenges that can impact life quality.
No matter how much you care, you can’t be responsible for your parents’ quality of life. You can, however, take steps that’ll gently nudge their happiness and well-being in the right direction. In this post, we’ll run through some of the most effective strategies that adult children can use to help their parents live well as they get older. As well as helping their overall well-being, you’ll also find that this helps you a lot, too. There’s a lot of peace of mind that can come from knowing that we’re doing everything we can for our loved ones!
Daily Contact
Even the most social of older people can find that they’re spending more time at home than they’re used to, especially during the chilly fall and winter months. Making the effort to stay in contact with your parents each day can have a small but noticeable impact on their well-being, since it helps to keep them connected with wider society. This might not be necessary at all points, but if you suspect that they’re getting out less than normal — again, such as when the weather is unpleasant — then pick up the phone.
Improve Home Safety
Experiencing a fall might not sound overly concerning, but it can have significant consequences for older people. Fracturing a hip or head, or experiencing a head injury, can have long-reaching impacts and can be difficult to truly recover from. While there are ways to rehabilitate from falls, the best method is to reduce fall probability in the first place. One way to do this is to make their living arrangements safer, especially if they’re committed to staying in the family home. Installing handrails, removing items that clutter, and enhancing the home’s lighting can all help to create a safer home environment that makes falls less likely.
Help With Essentials
The essentials, such as cooking, cleaning, and taking care of daily tasks, are vital for having a good quality of life. But for older people, taking care of these essentials themselves can be increasingly challenging as they age, especially if they’re dealing with mobility issues. You can help support your parents’ quality of life by helping out wherever you can. Even seemingly simple tasks, such as dropping off a few freezable meals, sweeping up while you’re visiting, or volunteering to drive, can make a big difference.
Assisting with Healthcare
Older people are more likely to have health concerns as they get older. With that said, they are also often less likely to be aware that they have a potential medical condition until their symptoms have become more pronounced. As a caring child, you can help your parents with their healthcare by paying attention to any changes and encouraging them to take action. That could involve booking an eye test if their eyesight deteriorates, ordering a Ptau217 gene test if they show any signs of Alzheimer’s, or checking for diabetes if they are unusually thirsty. Taking action early makes managing health conditions much more straightforward, which in turn can enhance their quality of life.
Financial Help
Many people underestimate how much money they’ll need in retirement, and consequently find themselves in financial difficulties when the moment arrives. In addition to expensive medical and home maintenance costs, the sheer fact that the cost of virtually everything is on the rise makes things all the more challenging. Broadening finance-related conversations with your parents can be difficult, since it’s something that many people prefer to keep private, but it’s important to do so. If they are having difficulties with their finances, then you will be able to help in one way or another. If you’re not in a position to give them cash directly, then you may be able to offer guidance on how they can save money.
Encourage New Hobbies
Many older people struggle to fill their time once they leave the workforce, and even more so when their bodies begin to slow down. Encouraging your parents to try new hobbies can have a profoundly positive impact on their well-being. Not only does it give them a chance to try new activities, but it can also put them into contact with other older people, too. In other words: there’s a lot of goodness that can come from them learning how to dance or a new language, or joining a walking group for older people.
Quality Time
It’s important to encourage your parents to spend time with other older people, but don’t forget that they’ll also love spending time with you! While daily phone calls and text messages can help to retain the connection, they’re not substitutes for spending quality time together. Hosting meals, going on day trips, and simply getting together provide an opportunity to create new memories and to take a trip down memory lane, which can be an excellent way to boost their happiness.
Look After Yourself
Finally, while this article has been about how you can help to improve your parents’ quality of life, it’s also important to look after yourself, too. It can be emotionally and physically exhausting to direct energy and attention to your parents’ well-being, and eventually, that can begin to take a toll. While showing concern for your parents can seem like a nice gesture, ultimately, it’s not possible to pour from an empty cup. You’ll be able to help them more if you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally well within yourself. Keep your boundaries, do the things that you need to do to feel at your best, and, in the end, you’ll help them even more.
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