It can be incredibly challenging watching those that cared for us as youngsters getting older and frailer. Likewise, it can be difficult for a once fully independent person to accept that they might need a helping hand. While your senior parent can be far from needing round-the-clock care, you may still have reason to be concerned for their well-being. If you are looking for new ideas to care for senior parents without being overprotective, have a look at what we found has worked for others:
Eating
Almost every parent needs to nag their children to eat vegetables. As an adult, one of the luxuries is eating whatever you want, and the same can be said in our twilight years. However, it is typically access to nutritious food, and having someone to enjoy it with that is more of an issue than knowing what to eat.
If you live close to your senior parents, consider booking a standing date for dinner once a week. You can then send them home with leftovers for the following day. Another option is setting up a grocery delivery service. If you are also on the account, then you can monitor what items are being purchased. A meal kit such as Hello Fresh might be a welcome treat every week for those who enjoy cooking. One of the few perks of the recent pandemic has been the rise in niche subscription services, which could be an excellent surprise for the holiday gifting season.
Physical activity
It’s a gift having parents live a long and productive life; however, as humanity continues to extend life expectancy, we also need to prioritize the quality of life and overall health. Physical activity can come in many forms, whether it be through planned and structured exercise programs, as a mode of transportation, or as a part of daily living, such as gardening, golf, or shopping.
If your parents are becoming increasingly sedentary, it impacts their likelihood of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, stroke, particular cancers, or cardiovascular disease. Instead of simply catching up over lunch, consider going for a walk in the park or meandering through a garden center.
Housekeeping
Staying on top of housekeeping can get overwhelming for some seniors, but inviting a total stranger into your home to clean isn’t for everyone, so consider doing this slowly.
You may want to treat yourself to a cleaning service and have them working while your parents are over socializing for the day. This way, you can naturally bring the topic of housekeeping into the conversation and ease them into the idea.
Safety and Security
If you have senior parents living on their own, it is understandable that you might get overprotective and catch yourself checking in more often than they might like. To ease both of your minds, services such as Lifeline Canada offer unobtrusive, medical alert systems and allow seniors to get on with their daily lives. In addition, should there ever be a need, you can rest assured that medical professionals and emergency contacts will be alerted instantly.
Regardless of your good intentions, it can be a tricky balancing act caring for senior parents without coming across as overprotective or limiting their freedoms. Rather than being thoughtful, some may resent the interference. We recommend avoiding the lectures and finding fun ways to ensure their health and happiness.
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
