At some point, for those of us who are lucky to still have our parents in our lives, playing positive roles, we can begin to see these roles change. We go from being dependent on our parents to being independent, to eventually becoming more dependent on us. When that change starts to happen, you may have concerns about their health, safety, and ability to live meaningful and fulfilled lives. That’s when you might want to have some of these talks.
Ensuring their healthcare
As we get older, we become a lot more susceptible to health issues of all kinds, from an increased risk of developing chronic illnesses to changes in our body like hearing and vision loss, and even a higher risk of serious injury from accidents. Being proactive in managing our health with the help of a doctor is crucial, but many people are reticent to go to the doctor as often as they should. Offering healthcare support to your loved one, such as attending appointments with them, asking questions on their behalf, and helping them manage medication, can make them feel a lot more at ease.
Creating a safe place to live
As mentioned, the older we get, the more prone we are to health issues. This includes accidents. Home safety will become an important topic at some point, and is usually addressed after an accident such as a fall, or otherwise. Encourage your parents to be frank and address any safety concerns they might have, and look at the various modifications you can make to the home, whether it’s adding railings and shower seats in the bathroom, or a chair to help them manoeuvre the stairs more safely.
Concerning their independence
Safely living alone may, at some point, become less and less of a feasible option for your parents. When that happens, you may have to discuss the prospect of them living with the help of a carer. Some grown children are able to take on that role themselves, but it’s often not feasible if you have a career, children, or other responsibilities that take up a lot of your time. Communities such as Oakland Care can help manage the need for care a lot more easily than trying to go it alone. Be sure to talk to your parent about the prospect of living in care from a place of compassion and a focus on their needs, first and foremost.
Addressing their social life
Talking about our social lives can be an even thornier topic, given that taking the wrong tone can make it seem like you’re judging your parents. However, offering a supporting hand by recommending things like hobbyist and social groups in your area, as shown by Reengage, can be a great way to help them build connections in their later lives. Older people are most at risk of becoming socially isolated and while being surrounded by family can certainly help, you can’t be there all of the time without great sacrifice to your own quality of life.
Bringing up concerns like those mentioned above can always feel difficult for grown children because many of us still feel like the child of a parent. However, it’s important to remember that you are both adults and, as such, you’re in a position to help.
