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You are aging. Look around and you will see that the baby boomers are getting older. While they age, so do their parents. It is a natural fact that with each new dawn you are one day older. Some of us age with grace, others mature into problems associated with an aging body. Aging is something we all have in common, from the time of our birth and onward.
As our parents age, our roles reverse, and we may soon find ourselves having to care for those who have taken care of us. Caring for an elderly parent is difficult and often times draining, emotionally and financially, but it is an obligation that we have as children.
Aging is natural and with aging comes various changes that will affect everyone despite medical interventions. Aging will affect appearance, reaction times, thought processes and sleep patterns. Loss, illness, decreased contact with family and retirement may affect a persons emotional state, often sending an elderly person into withdrawal and depression.
While caring for an elderly parent can be difficult, it can also be rewarding. The lessons of life and culture can be shared directly with grandchildren and the love and support of family will be constant. Here is some simple advice if you are facing caring for an elderly parent:
Be sure they have everything in writing: wills, living wills and all the information about bills, debts and contacts. Ensuring all personal matters are orderly at the start will prevent any problems in the long run.
Encourage your parent to express their feelings. Being open and honest is important, especially when decisions will need to be made affecting everyone's life. But be strong. If a parent refuses help that is needed, insist they take it. Sometimes pride can get in the way of much needed assistance.
Locate and utilize resources in your area. There are many senior centers, outreach programs, counselors and clergy ready and willing to assist. Don't be afraid to ask for help, there are many programs and opportunities available to seniors and their caregivers that go unused due to lack of knowledge.
Encourage other family to participate indirectly or directly in your parents care. This would include regular phone contact and visiting, outings for special occasions, assisting to create a better and safer living environment and providing transportation. Gather relatives to help install rails on stairs, fix broken items around the house and make the home safer.
Caring for an elderly parent does not necessarily mean taking them into your home or placing them in a nursing home. It does mean keeping contact and providing a sense of security, the same security you as a child always felt: that they are there for you when you need them. Caring for an aging parent can be enjoyable, especially if you understand what your responsibilities are, make sure that you don't neglect your own spouse and children and you get the help you need when you need it. They were always there for us, so it is time that we are always there for them.
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