There will come a time when the traditional parent-child roles are reversed, and those who once cared for you will need to be cared for. After all, as we age, the level of care and support we require from those around us tends to increase.
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With that in mind, here are some simple yet effective ways in which you can support aging relatives, whether they are moving into your home or living independently.
Encourage them to take active steps to protect their health.
Encouraging your loved ones to take active steps to protect their health is one of the easiest ways to support them during this time. For example, while they may have been smoking for years, quitting smoking now can still benefit their health. In fact, studies have shown that “quitting, even in later life, can significantly lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer over time.” You should also ensure that they attend regular health checkups.
Ensure they have everything they need to hand.
Ensuring that your relative has all of the relevant mobility aids and medical supplies to hand is also crucial during this time, as it means they are then able to take a more proactive approach to managing their health. Fortunately, a quick search of “medical supply store near me” will help you to find a local store that sells everything from lift chairs to compression socks, putting your loved one’s health back in their own hands.
Stay informed.
As we age, the chances of dealing with any kind of health condition increase. As such, if your loved one has recently received a specific diagnosis, doing your research into this condition can be incredibly beneficial. After all, it means you will be able to put plans in place to support them moving forward, whether you’re helping with medication management or arranging follow-up appointments with their physician.
Reach out regularly.
If your loved one would like to continue living independently, it is important that you reach out regularly, especially if you are not able to see them in person that often. Even a short phone call each day can go a long way toward combating loneliness and isolation, something that one in three elderly people deal with.
Take care of yourself, too.
Have you heard of the phrase you cannot pour from an empty cup? While wanting to pour all of your love and attention into your relative is understandable, especially if they have always done the same for you, taking care of yourself during this time is crucial. This is because failing to do so will only leave you exhausted and burned out, which could mean that you are unable to properly support those around you.
As such, moving forward, you should ensure that you are taking good care of yourself by following wellness tips that actually work, ensuring that you get plenty of sleep, and ensuring that your own needs are addressed. You’ll likely find that doing so means that you are able to show up more consistently for those around you.