Life expectancy in the United States has been increasing. Older Americans comprise a larger percentage of the population than ever before. While this longevity is certainly something to celebrate, it also important to realize that family dynamics change as parents reach their senior years and grown children have to help their parents in new ways. An estimated 10 million children over the age of 50 are now caring for their aging parents.
Taking Care of Health
As people age, they typically experience an increase in medical issues. Help your parents find reliable, trustworthy doctors who can address these issues and help your parents stay as healthy and able-bodied as possible. For example, 50 percent of Americans age 75 and older experience disabling hearing loss. Providing your loved ones with audiology care and perhaps even hearing aids can help them overcome hearing loss. Many people also experience a need for increased dental care as they get older. Again, you will want to make sure your loved one is provided with the medical attention they need, whether they just need routine check-ups or perhaps even dentures. Go with your loved ones to doctors’ appointments. You will be able to help explain how your family member has been in regards to his or her health. It is also helpful to have an extra set of ears at the appointment so you can help your loved one remember what the doctor said. You can even take notes to ensure that nothing is forgotten.
Your parents are also likely to take more medications as they get older. It is important to be aware of what medications they are taking, what the medications are for, and possible side effects. MedlinePlus is a database provided through the National Institutes of Health. This resource has all sorts of information about every drug that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, making it a wonderful tool for researching the medications your loved ones are taking.
Talk to your parents about giving you access to their medical information. The Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ensure privacy of health information. However, by signing a form at the doctor’s office, your parents can give you access to their medical information, which can be quite helpful when caring for them. Discuss obtaining power of attorney for healthcare for your parents. This allows you to make health decisions for your parents if they are unable to do so.
As your loved ones age, they may gradually need more and more care. At some point, you may want to move your parents into an assisted living facility, where a staff on hand 24 hours a day. If your loved one requires assisted living, find a reliable and comfortable place for them to live such as Victoria Mews Assisted Living. Homes like this balance independence with assistance. Residents can enjoy private suites, laundry services, a variety of dining options, a library, a chapel, and a therapy center, along with other accommodations. Finding a home that offers a wide variety of amenities will mean your loved one has everything he or she needs right there, and this allows them to continue to have the level of independence they desire. Be sure you do your research before placing your family members in an assisted living facility; you want to make sure the home you choose is appropriate for the level of care your loved ones need.
Balancing Finances
Providing for loved ones can be expensive. Fortunately, there are several government programs that can help cut that costs. Medicare is a helpful option for many individuals with limited incomes. Not only does Medicare provide hospital and medical insurance, it can also cover prescription drugs. Medicaid is also a government-run program that provides health coverage to those with low income. Every state oversees its own Medicaid program, so eligibility will vary depending on where you live. Also, see if your loved one is eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is a need-based program for supplementing incomes available through Social Security. If your loved one is a veteran or married a veteran, he or she could be eligible for services provided by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA provides a number of services including health care and pensions.
Talk to your parents about allowing you to have power of attorney for finances. This will make it easier for you to help out with their finances. It will also let you manage their finances if something unexpected happens to them.
Communication is Key
One of the best things you can do when taking care of your aging loved ones is to talk to them about how they want you to help. Sometimes older people can feel a loss of independence when their children try to help. Communicate with them to see just how much help they want. Let them know you aren’t trying to rob them of their independence; you just want to be there for them when they need it. Talk to your parents and siblings about plans for the future, while your parents are still mentally and physically agile. Having a plan in place will make it easier to take steps to care for your parents as they age, and keeping everyone on the same page will help you avoid disagreements in the future. Having a plan for the future can also reduce stress. You won’t be wondering, “Did I make the right decision? Is this what mom would have wanted?” By talking about what your parents wanted ahead of time, you will already know the answer to these sorts of questions.
Keeping Active
One of the best ways for people to live happy and healthy lives as they age is simply to keep active. Encourage your loved ones to keep participating in the activities they have been involved in. Perhaps your parents have attended church for years, or maybe they are involved in a book club. Whatever it is, help facilitate them staying involved. Perhaps you could even participate in certain activities with your loved ones. For example, if your parents love traveling, go on a road trip together. If your loved ones suffer from something such as hearing loss, plan your trip around there needs. For instance, there are sensory friendly activities in Lansing, MI, which could help your loved ones enjoy the trip by accommodating to their needs.
Caring for aging family members can be stressful at times, but it can also be a rewarding experience. It can give you an opportunity to spend quality time with your parents. Look at this as a chance to bond with mom and dad in a way you haven’t before.
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