What To Do When an Aging Parent Needs Help

Last updated on May 5th, 2024 at 09:22 pm

Everyone changes as they age, and you might have noticed worrying changes in your aging parent. Perhaps they have become more forgetful than usual, need help remembering names and faces, or feel unsafe in their home. If you notice any changes, chances are that you are right, and your aging parent needs help. However, many people are resistant to help because they think it shows they can no longer take care of themselves and their affairs. That is not always the case, and you may be able to improve your parent’s life by providing the help they need.

Collect The Facts

You might think you know what is going on with your aging parents, but assumptions about the underlying issue can be incomplete or wrong. It is, therefore, important to gather as many facts as possible before you start worrying or speculating. 

Some of the things you can do to get the facts to determine the underlying cause include checking for memory and cognitive issues, safety issues, what other loved ones are saying, and any signs that you need to step in immediately.

Get Their Perspective

Your parents will likely resist your advice if you do not take the time to get their perspective first. You have to understand how they are seeing things by having a conversation. When you do, do not argue, correct them or attempt to convince them of anything. Remember, you are only here to listen and get their perspective.

Open and honest conversations can help soften resistance and increase the likelihood of your parents accepting the help they need.

Get Informed About Possible Solutions

Understanding possible solutions can help you focus your efforts on one thing and save a lot of time and hassle later. A key step is a medical evaluation. Many of the issues you notice with an aging parent are caused by underlying medical conditions, and you should know which they are if they exist. If you are worried about their memory and safety, an assessment for signs of cognitive impairment could help. 

The best approach is addressing immediate safety and quality of life concerns and assisting your parent to live a full life without struggle.

Consider Getting Them Help

Once you understand the underlying issue and know that your parent needs help, you should talk to them and the rest of the family about getting potential help. You could hire an in-house carer to take care of them, ensure they are safe, and inform you and the rest of the family how things are going.

You should also consider senior living options if your parent lives alone and you want a community around them. Assisted senior Living Facilities like Belmont Village Senior Living in Fort Lauderdale have staff standing by and a vibrant community so your loved one receives the care they need and has a community around them. The latter is especially important for keeping loneliness, isolation, and depression away.

Sometimes our loved ones need help but do not want to say it because of how they think doing so will make them seem. If you notice an issue with an aging parent, it is best to start taking steps to get them the help they need.

*collaboration