Our parents sacrificed a lot to ensure that we had a proper upbringing to provide us with all the life skills needed to be successful in life and as we become adults ourselves, the roles are very much reversed and we are the ones who should be there to support our aging parents.
Here are some great ideas as to how you can help and support your mother and father as they approach retirement.
- Visit often – Of course, this is not always possible, but if you do live within driving distance of your parents, make their day and surprise them with a family visit. Older people draw a lot from seeing their children and grandchildren; they might not say anything, but deep down, seeing their kids often makes life that much nicer.
- Provide essential support – You can find personal alarms for the elderly from a leading Australian provider that offers a range of alarm devices that use GPS technology. Ideal for an elderly person who lives alone, this device could quite literally be a life-saver. Other things you can do include installing support rails in their bathroom and non-slip floor mats and if mum or dad has difficulty climbing the stairs, consider installing a stairlift.
- Stay connected – The Internet enables us to have free video calls with others, regardless of where they are located. Teach your parents how to use a digital device (if they don’t already know how to use one) and you could buy them a smartphone or tablet which they can use to enjoy video calls.
- Financial support – In the event your parents are not financially secure, you could set up a standing order to transfer a monthly figure into your mother or father’s bank account. This can be used for the odd luxury item or to fund a day trip somewhere nice. Let’s remember that some people are too proud to ask for financial help; if you think your parents might be having financial issues, do the right thing and send some money. Click here for information about memorial benches, which is one way to honour your departed parents.
- Home invitation – How often do your parents visit? If at all possible, why not invite mum and dad to visit during a long weekend? You could always pick them up after work and enjoy a couple of days together before returning them to their home. We all know how proud our parents can be and they might not tell you they are a bit lonely, so do keep in touch by phone and surprise them now and again with a home invite.
We all owe it to our parents to give them the care and attention they need as they move into their later years and if you can find the time, visit as often as you can. The Australian government offers support for the elderly, should you require any help.