We are used to the fact that our parents, regardless of their biological age, are always active, supportive, young at heart, and seldom need our help.
But time passes and the way of life changes: parents are getting older and becoming more and more dependent on us. This new phase of life is not easy to anyone: you need to adjust, get used to changes and a different life pace.
Warm, close family relationships and an optimistic attitude to life are crucial elements for living longer and being satisfied with the world around you.
So it is a natural desire to provide your senior parents with entertaining activities, quality communication, and happy memories. Here is what you can do:
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Health
First things first: help your parents monitor their health, but do not take a personal doctor's role – it may only irritate them.
Instead, you can consider the option of getting a medical alert system to be sure they will get immediate help if needed, and the monthly life alert cost (learn more) is not much more expensive than your Netflix subscription.
Together, choose a suitable physical activity: Pilates, physical therapy, yoga, nordic walking, or dancing. Many local pools or gyms have free groups for seniors, usually during the day.
Play sports together – it is useful and allows you to spend more time alongside your parents. If your schedule does not allow it, at least encourage your parents to remain active and exercise regularly.
Traveling
Pay attention to tours for seniors – those are the same as regular tours but organized considering older people's needs.
They involve visa-free countries, quiet, cozy hotels, and activities like aqua aerobics or golf.
If you want to organize such a trip yourself, keep in mind that it is better not to plan too busy sightseeing programs, but choose direct flights and set aside a few hours to rest in the middle of the day instead.
Furthermore, while exploring these new destinations, it can be important to keep safety in mind. This is where a gps mobile medical alert for seniors can be a useful companion by offering immediate access to help, no matter where the adventures take them.
Share Their Interests
Hobbies always help get to know other people better, so make sure you know what your parents are interested in and develop it!
Show them where to buy modern, high-quality materials and tools and how to learn new techniques that will make their lives easier.
Take part in activities that your parents suggest, and show your curiosity and be initiative!
Whether it is gardening or canning food for winter – offer your own options, write down secret family recipes, be helpful and engaged.
Establish Stable Communication
Everyone wants to feel needed by loved ones. So talk to your parents! Share news and events of the day, ask for their opinions on what is important to you, and plan your weekends together.
If it is difficult to find some common topics, ask them to share their stories and memories from younger years. Do not avoid any serious issues; talk about fears and anxiety if it is important to them.
Remember to stay positive and not to overload your parents with your problems.
If you live separately or even in different cities, ensure you are talking with each other regularly, and adjust to the most comfortable hours to call them.
Help Them With Feelings of Loneliness
Chances are you don’t live in the same house as your parents. You may even live in a different city, state, or country.
Or you may simply be preoccupied with a family of your own and have no time to visit your parents every now and then.
If your parents have no other family members leaving nearby, they may get a little lonely. This, in turn, may negatively impact their mental health.
You can help your elderly parents beat their loneliness by encouraging them to attend community events or meet with their friends.
Also, if they’re healthy enough, they can get a pet – bonus points if they adopt it from a local shelter! Having other people around and a pet to take care of will make them feel needed.
Conclusion
As you have noticed, the key to make your senior parents happier is to spend more time together. It does not mean that you are obligated to be attached to them 24/7.
They are still bigger grown-ups than you, and personal space as well as letting them make their own decisions are still important. Besides, you probably have a family of your own to take care of.
Things like regular communication, joint activities, rituals, and small pleasures will create a positive background for them to let go of the worries and be focused on their interests and wishes instead of controlling your life.
It is also essential to empathize with their physical activity as even 10-minutes walks can make a significant difference in preventing some diseases or symptoms of aging.
It is common to detach yourself from your parents when growing up, but only a few of us manage to maintain a close relationship with them while being adults.
Do not miss the chance to get to know your parents better, even if they are seniors now, talk through past difficulties as adults, and consciously create shared memories. Just be there for them.