We are so busy climbing up the corporate ladder and fixing personal relationships that we forget what our aging parents might need. Our parents go through a lot of emotions as they grow old. They are bored. They are lonely. They feel isolated as their friends pass away or put in assisted-living facilities. There are fewer opportunities for them to make friends or socialize. In fact, the only interaction they might have is with the caregiver that we hired for them.
Speaking of which, you should choose a reputable home care agency that uses software to manage patients, schedules, and billings. It will make it easier for you and your aging parents to deal with an experienced agency. If you’re going down this route, the least you can do is to find a caregiver who would care for your parents enough to walk them in the park or take them to their favorite diner.
Maintain Contact
There should be nothing holding you back from communicating with your parents more often. Technology now allows you to reach out to people from the end of the world. What’s stopping you from calling your parents who are an hour away? Carve a time to call them, whether it’s in the morning before you work, during your lunch break, or after working hours.
Visit More Often
Technology has provided many ways to connect with your loved ones, but there’s something about personally visiting them that puts a smile on your parents’ faces. No matter how old you get or how far you’ve reached in your life, you’re always going to be their child. They would want to see you. If visiting them in person is not possible, make it a point to do video conference calls such as Skype or Facebook Messenger.
Encourage Them
Do they want to try a new activity or attend a social gathering? As long as it won’t affect their health, you should support their decision to pursue new activities in their lives. Later, when you’re old and gray, you’ll realize why it is important to spend time with like-minded people. Encourage your aging parents to spend as much time as they can with their friends.
Do Things with Them
At least once or twice a month, make a conscious effort to spend time with them. Whether it’s going to the cinema or their favorite restaurant, your parents will appreciate the time you spend with them. You don’t want to miss these later stages in their lives. Many communities have a lot of activities for retired people. Why don’t you escort your parents to one of these? Let them show you off to their friends.
Bring Them to Your Office
What more do your parents like aside from showing you off to their friends? They want you to show them off to your office mates. Ask your boss if you can show your parents around the office. They would love to see where you work and what you do.
You often get so busy with your life that you don’t have time to give your parents a ring. You might regret this later on. If there are some unresolved issues between you, this is a great time as any to talk it through and find it in your hearts to forgive each other. In this life, only death and taxes are permanent. Make sure that you show your parents how much you care by keeping in touch with them.