Parents are often the first people to know when something is wrong with their children. As they age, parents may find that they need help themselves and it’s their children that should be the first to step in and offer support. Your parents have done a lot for you and now, as they age, there’s a lot you can do for them. 

Assistance

One way to provide support to your aging parent is by offering practical assistance with tasks such as grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning. Offer to come around once a day or once every few days to help with the vacuuming and dusting. If you live close by, you could drop meals off every evening and offer to take out the trash. Grocery shopping isn’t always easy for seniors so offer to tag along and help with pushing the cart. It’s these little things that will make a big difference without overstepping when help is not needed. 

Emotional Support

When it comes to our aging parents, we want to do everything we can to make them feel comfortable and loved. This may mean being a shoulder to cry on during tough times or simply offering a listening ear. It’s important that we take the time to listen to our parents and understand what they’re going through. Never judge and always try and make your loved one feel appreciated. Getting older is a challenging time so be sensitive and let them know that you’ll always be there. 

Give Them Their Independence

We all love being independent and it’s a very sad day when that is taken away from us. Help your parent keep their independence for longer by installing home safety devices that are specifically targeted to this market. Options include a medical alert system, a smoke alarm, door sensors, and a CCTV system. Another option is to install a home elevator that will make getting around much easier. The home elevator costs are relatively low and the installation of an elevator will future-proof their home for years to come. It will also add a tremendous amount of value to the property. All of these changes will help your loved one maintain their freedom for longer. Going into an aged care facility won’t even by an option as they’ll be safe and secure in their own homes and, as an added bonus, you’ll have peace of mind that all is ok too. It’s a win-win. 

Help with Bills and Other Expenses 

If your mom or dad is struggling to pay the bills, try your best to help them out. There are government schemes like the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) that offer assistance. These programs can provide a regular monthly payment to help cover rent, groceries, and other necessary household expenses. Another option is to seek out private charities or foundations that offer support to families in need. There are also many organizations that provide grants so be sure to look into the options.