Aging brings several changes to the mind and body. Aching joints and forgetfulness are all a part of the process. However, as people age, their need to increase a sense of purpose and build connections and maintain them increases. The reason is that they feel like their life is slipping out of control, and their sense of loss increases with each passing day. However, there are some steps you can take to help your aging parents lead better and happier lives. They are:
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1. Check up on them often
If your elderly parents are completely dependent on a caregiver or have moved to a nursing home, it is crucial to ensure that you don't lose contact with them. The reason is that even though your parents will be surrounded by people their age, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, they still need a sense of connection with their family.
For this reason, visit them frequently to ensure that your elderly parents don't feel abandoned. A few hours in a week can satisfy their need to be surrounded by family, and it won't put too much of a dent in your routine as well. However, what it will do is help them be happier.
Apart from that, check up on your parents to ensure their needs are being met properly. If they are in a nursing home, ensure they are not victims of nursing home abuse, as that is a dreaded yet common issue elderly individuals face. In case of an unfortunate event, if they do become a victim of neglect or abuse, you can sue the nursing home. In present times, many firms have made suing a nursing home easier, which also ensures that there is a proper check and balance in nursing homes.
2. Help them discover new interests
Your elderly parents are more likely to feel happier if they have something exciting which they can look forward to every day. The reason is that with age, your elderly parents may have lost touch with their interests and hobbies while they were young. But since they have retired now and have all the free time, you can help them explore different interests once again.
One of the steps you can take in this regard is signing them up for different classes that can help them explore different hobbies. Once they find something they like, it will keep them engaged, simulating their body and mind and making them feel happier and more content with their life.
3. Ensure their health
People say that you can’t stay happy if you don’t feel well, and that particularly applies to elderly individuals. Even the smallest health problems, such as trouble walking or climbing the stairs, can eventually lead to bigger health issues and reduce the quality of life. For example, a small injury from a fall, if left untreated, can cause chronic pain that can cause irritability and grumpiness. For this reason, ensure your elderly parents get health examinations regularly and go for a checkup whenever they experience an unusual symptom. Apart from that, also make sure they follow a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy food and engaging in mild to moderate exercise a couple of days a week. Doing so will improve their health and quality of life, and hence, improve their mood and help them stay happier.
4. Get all the family involved
When helping your elderly parents, you don't have to bear all the responsibilities yourself unless there is no one else to assist you. The more people they have around them and caring for them, the happier your elderly parents will be. Therefore, plan family dinners a couple of times a month where all the family can come together and have fun. It will become an event that your elderly parents will start looking forward to with excitement and anticipation. Moreover, bring over your family if you have a spouse or kids, and help them connect with your parents so that they can enjoy a connection with their loved ones.
5. Help them find a community
Unless your elderly parents have been rooted in one place for the better part of their life, they likely suffer from a longing to connect with people their age. For this reason, try helping them find a community where they can connect with old peers and enjoy their time. You can do so by looking for chess clubs, bingo clubs in nearby community centers, or any activity designed to engage the elderly individuals of the community. You could even move to a locality where your parents’ friends might reside. It will help reduce the loneliness and dread associated with old age and help them lead happier and fulfilled lives.
Conclusion
It's not uncommon for your parents to deny they need any help, claiming they are perfectly content with their life. However, unusual mood swings and changes in behavior are indicators that your elderly parents are not feeling well. For this reason, opt to help them in a very subtle way that doesn't make them feel like a burden. The goal is to keep them engaged and connected with friends and family. Therefore, any steps you take to improve their quality of life can also reduce the depressive effects of old age and help them lead happier lives.
